Leo Schmidt

Leo Martin Schmidt, 83, of Bismarck, died on May 20, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, May 28, at Ascension Catholic Church, 1825 S 3rd St, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, with a vigil/rosary service at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 27, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

Burial will be held at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, May 28, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Leo was born on July 29, 1941, to Margaret (Richter) and Joseph G. Schmidt on the family farm south of Menoken.

He graduated from St. Mary’s Central High School in 1959. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving overseas in Germany. He qualified as an expert marksman taking 1st place in the M-1 rifle firing.

On June 20, 1968, Leo married Kathryn “Kathy” Cramer, and together they built a loving home in Bismarck, ND, and raised three children: Nancy, Kurt, and Scott.

Leo spent his career as a lifelong truck driver for various transport companies including Kirschmann Trucking, Dan Dugan Transport, and SuperValu, where he remained until his retirement in 2005.

Leo was an active member of the community. He was involved in several organizations that meant a great deal to him, including the Ascension Catholic Church, Bismarck Moose Lodge, and Teamsters Local 638, where he served as treasurer. He was also a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, for an impressive 62 years.

Leo lived a full and active life, always surrounded by the people and pastimes he loved. He enjoyed league bowling, working out at the gym, singing with the church choir at Ascension and the Senior Center Singers. Leo loved spending time tending to his garden, always gifting home grown vegetables to neighbors, friends, and family and was famous for his homemade buckets of pickles! He spent many years hunting, making homemade jerky and sausage. He also enjoyed canning and cooking, especially his favorite soups and chili. When relaxing at home he could be found watching boxing, tennis, and the Minnesota Twins as well as many other sports.

In 1977, he joined one of the first local pool leagues continuing to play throughout his lifetime, recently being awarded the ND “Pioneer of Pool” award in 2025.

A true people person he made lifelong friendships and cherished time spent at the Senior Center for lunch and playing Pinochle several times a week.

His greatest joy was in his boat on the Missouri River and various lakes catching walleye. It is on the water that he sat under the sun taking in nature and all of God's beauty. This was where he found true peace.

Above all, he was a devoted grandfather attending games and events. His warmth, enthusiasm, and generous spirit touched all who knew him. 

He is survived by his children, Nancy Schmidt Zander, Bismarck, Kurt (Missy) Schmidt, Bismarck, Scott Schmidt, Clearwater, FL; six grandchildren, Casey, Cole, Kensi, Kerrigan, Dylan, and Teagan; companion, Norma Sayler and family, Bismarck; brother, Julius (Eileen Berger) Schmidt; sisters, Diane (Keith) Grotewold, and LouAnn (Glen) Tsujihara; sisters in-law, Rosie Schmidt and Gerri Fix; brother in-law, Mike Cramer; and many nieces and nephews.

Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy; parents; brothers, Clarence and Melvin (Quirina); infant sister, Louella; and sister in-law, LaVerne Schmidt.