Edward Schmitt

Edward Phillip Schmitt was born to his parents Harold & Adella (Mechtel) Schmitt on April 27, 1964 in the Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague, Minnesota. He passed away at his home in rural Wadena on May 29th. Ed was a graduate of New Prague High School in 1982. He has been self employed as a contractor for many years, just recently starting Cornerstone Construction in the last two years in Wadena. Ed was a member of the Knob Hill Sportsman Club and the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards and planting tree's. Ed was preceded in death by his father Harold. He is survived by Brenda Stewart; sons Jason (Beth) Hustad of Cannon Falls and Tyler (Krista) Hustad of Lonsdale; Brenda's daughters Jamie Stewart of Farmington and Ashley (DJ) Stewart of Northfield; 6 grandchildren; his mother Adella of Prior Lake; sisters Laurie (Dave) Theis of Jordan, Terri (Wayne) Lehman of Le Sueur, Karen (Roger Howell)Wassather of Earlham, Pat (Bruce) Benson of Prior Lake; brothers Rick of Shakopee, Steven of Eden Valley & Ken (Nicole) of New Prague; Brenda's parents Larry Washek of Underwood & Audrey (Larry) Hanson of Moorhead. View this Videotribute Remembering Ed Ed's journey through life took him around a bit, but no matter where he was you could count on him working hard, playing hard, laughing deeply and often, and being willing to take risks. From working at AMPI Creamery during high school, to farm worker at Bartusek's and Svoboda's, to farm owner; from employee to employer; from making shingles at Certainteed to Cornerstone Construction; Ed's life was characterized by learning from experience and building on it. He sank deep roots and grew tall. Ed wasn't afraid of getting hurt and he has the medical records to prove it! His willingness to take risk showed up in both work and play. He was part steel, both in his endurance and in the pins holding him together. From a motorcycle accident that landed him in Rochester, to pins in a broken leg from getting kicked by a cow, to nearly getting buried under a block wall while remodeling a commercial building, to a slipping barn jack dropping the beam on his hand; Ed walked away from them all with his strength intact and only a fingertip missing. He loved life and wasn't afraid to live it. This was true of his friendships as well; Ed left his mark on each of us, and demonstrated his love with his generosity. He lent us his strength in easing our lives, whether that be through a helping hand, conversation, play, laughter, or listening. Ed could sift through stuff with incredible insight and would offer his opinion if it was asked for, yet also support us in our choices and help us along the way, whether or not he thought we were heading in the right direction. Ed was content with who he was, and could let the fussing of those who disagreed with him roll off like water off a duck's back. He became a very forgiving man. Ed had a quick wit and could come up with more one-liners than a comedian. He provided us with so much cause for laughter, and while his teasing never stopped it was so good-natured and a sign of his affection. He could take it as well as he could give it, with a great smile that he was always ready to share. Ed broke enough stuff in his life, but he also became a great mender. Before and after pictures of the home he created with Brenda demonstrate the place his life had carried him to. He not only cleaned up and repaired what the farm gave him to work with, but went beyond that to make improvements. From the remodeling work on the house to cleaning and trimming out the grove, Ed had an eye on the future. Ed always loved to hunt and fish. Growing up he spent time out in the slough behind the pasture, waiting for ducks to rise. He took up deer hunting and became a serious year-round fisherman as he got older. He probably enjoyed telling the stories over a game of cards almost as much as living the stories on the lake and in the woods. He built a deer feeder on the farm, and brought home chickens to wander about the place. He loved animals, wild and tame, and demonstrated his patience and kindness again in the way he trained his dogs. With Jake, and now with the pup Tanner, Ed found joy, and the dogs loved him as well. The land Ed and Brenda purchased, so quiet and peaceful, removed from the rush of urban living and home to all kinds of wild things, meant everything to him. In Wadena, in the home and life he created with Brenda, with the kids and grandkids he was proud to know, welcome into his life, and love, he found himself a place he was ready to call home forever. Ed planted a lot of trees on the farm, but it is the choice of trees that tell us his thoughts of the future. Ed planted oaks, white pines, spruce, apples, and maples. None grow quickly; they take time to reach maturity, but when they do they are strikingly beautiful and strong. Ed was planting with an eye to spending his future right here. I think he learned from the trees, and would leave us all with the lesson: Stand tall and proud. Sink your roots deep into the earth. Be content with your natural beauty. Go out on a limb. Drink plenty of water. Remember your roots. Enjoy the view!

Edward Schmitt

April 27, 1964 - May 29, 2005