Georgene Vredenburg

Written by Georgene

Well, I finally found a perfect job with good benefits and it’s Heaven!

I prefer no funeral, just say a prayer for me and my family.

I was born April 3, 1934 in Mandan to Earl and Tommie (Crews) Vredenburg, and died in Bismarck on August 11, 2025. Earl (nicknamed Chiefie) was the Mandan Chief of Police for 24 years.

I graduated from Mandan High School in 1952, married Richard (Dick) Schmidt in 1954, living in Columbus, Ohio for one year. Our only child, son Terry, was born in 1958.

While living in Ohio I worked for the Commercial Trucking Co. Upon returning to Mandan, I worked for Kenelly Furniture and the Lummus Co., which helped build the Mandan Refinery. I then went to work at the USDA Agricultural Research Center for 30 years. After retiring, I worked part-time first at Dayton’s and then at the BisMan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

I served as President of the Christ the King Altar Guild for 4 years, and PTA secretary at St. Joseph and Christ the King schools. I was very active in the Mandan Jaycees, serving as president of the Mrs. Jaycees, named Outstanding Mandan Mrs. Jaycee and then received the State Outstanding Mrs. Jaycee. One year I was secretary of the North Dakota Mrs. Jaycees.

While at the Jaycees I was Director of the Miss Rodeo Mandan Contest and the Miss Rodeo North Dakota Contest. Served both the Mandan and Morton County Tax Assessment Committee, belonged to the Mandan Golden Age, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Sanford Nursing Home Auxiliary.

After my divorce, I rented an apartment attached to the house of Ronnie and Donna Schmidt, 2 of the most wonderful people. I lived there for 22 years and it was a very fortunate life to be with them. Donna ran a Day Care facility, and having all the children around was a blessing. They always knew I had chocolate chip cookies for them.

From there I moved to Liberty Heights Mandan and then to Edgewood Mandan, meeting many new friends along the way.

I am survived by one son, Dr. Terry Schmidt (Lori); two grandsons, Ben (Leslie) and Alex (Anna Mae); and one granddaughter, Carly (Jack) Schlosser. I have 8 great-grandchildren, Piper, Sloan, Ford, Opal, Boyd, Ever, Camden, and Sawyer; and one brother Ron (Karen) Vredenburg. I am fiercely proud of my family.

I have two very special women who were like daughters to me. My niece, Cindy Grove, and a lifelong friend Deb Sheffield.

I was preceded in death by my parents and one sister, Ramona.

I couldn’t bake caramel rolls, but I could sure eat them. I couldn’t grow a garden, but I managed to beg a lot of vegetables from people who did. My hobbies were collecting eyeglasses of all shapes and colors, thanks to my optometrist son, and Mickey Mouse memorabilia. I had a great life. Thanks to all of you for being so good to me, especially my wonderful family. I’ll see you later!

A Celebration of Life will be held at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, on Saturday, Aug. 30th. Visitation at 9:30 AM, Celebration at 10:30 AM.