Obit: Schmidt, Marland Lazelle (1926 - 2008)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: rloss@bellsouth.net

Surnames: Buchholz, Cramblit, Gieser, Hansen, Jorgensen, Puchalla, Reischel, Reynolds, Robinson, Schmidt, Swift, Swoboda, Uram, Weldon

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI) Thursday, July 24, 2008, Online Edition

----Schmidt, Marland Lazelle (October 18, 1926, - July 17, 2008)

Marland L. Schmidt, age 81, formerly of Bloomer, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 17, 2008, at Colonial Center Exceptional Living Center in Colby, following a courageous 16-year battle with cancer.

Marland Lazelle Schmidt was born Oct. 18, 1926, in rural Ceylon, Minn., to Herman and Zola (Jorgensen) Schmidt.

He and his mother were born in the same farmhouse. He and his parents moved to a house in Ceylon, to another farm west of Ceylon, and then above a grocery store in Ormsby, Minn., operated briefly by his parents. They moved to Manyaska, then to an apartment above Ollie’s Clothing Store in Ceylon. He attended Ceylon Schools.

Following his graduation from Ceylon High School in 1944 he enlisted on July 13, 1944 in the United States Navy. He was stationed on the USS Warren APA 53. Stops along his tour of duty included San Pedro, Calif., San Diego, Calif., New Guinea, Okinawa, Leyte, Luzon, Eniwetok, the Philippines, North China, Tokyo Bay and San Francisco, Calif. He was honorably discharged Sept. 13, 1946.

Marland worked for Standard Oil for 4-1/2 years as a salesman and clerk. He was then hired as an area manager and district manager for the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper, serving diligently for 27-1/2 years. He then “retired” to begin working as a bartender and maintenance man at the family business, the Bloomer Hotel. In his spare time he worked as a maintenance man at M&I Bank and Kirkwood’s IGA, both in Bloomer. For the past 11 years, until his official retirement in Feb. 2008, Marland served well as a Foster Grandparent at Parkview Elementary School in Chippewa Falls, assisting disadvantaged children with reading, writing and arithmetic. He also loved networking with other senior citizens.

He was united in marriage in 1947 to Alvera Swift. They later divorced.

Marland then married Lizbeth Ann “Bette” Robinson in 1954.

He was a member of First Congregational Church in Bloomer, serving 49 years as church treasurer. He was a long-time member of the Bloomer Lions Club, and was a proud recipient of the Melvin Jones award for humanitarian service. He was a member of the Bloomer Masonic Lodge and the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations.

Marland loved to read. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, coin and stamp collecting, gardening and lawn maintenance, and an occasional visit to the casino. He enjoyed doting on his nine grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his two sons, Todd (Kelly) Schmidt of Colby, Wis., and Greg (Diane) Schmidt of Mankato Minn.; one daughter, Barbara (Ken) Weldon, Bloomington, Minn.; one brother, Dennis (Laura) Schmidt, Lakeland, Minn.; three sisters, Darlene (and the late Richard) Gieser, Dresser, Norma (Les) Reynolds, Nevada, Iowa, Donna (Tom) Uram, Corona Del Mar, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Dana (Brian) Hansen, Jeff (Shana) Schmidt, Michael Schmidt, Jason (Renee) Buchholz, Melissa (Todd) Puchalla, Chris Schmidt, Tony Schmidt, Derik Weldon and Lissa (Mike) Weldon; four step-grandchildren, Kyla, Michael and Brandi Reischel and Jack Schmidt; nine great-grandchildren, 23 nieces and nephews; one special friend, Dee Cramblit of Bloomer; and one special former daughter-in-law, Susie (David) Swoboda of Jim Falls.

Marland was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bette, and an infant brother, Darrell Schmidt.

Funeral services for Marland were held Sunday, July 20, 2008, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Bloomer. Pastor Phil Schneider presided. Music was provided by Vicki Berg, organist, and grandson Michael Schmidt, vocalist. Inurnment will be in the Bloomer City Cemetery at a future date. Military honors were accorded by the Bloomer American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Visitation was held on Saturday, July 19, from 4-8 p.m. at the Schriver Funeral Chapel, Bloomer, and Sunday, July 20, from noon-2 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Casket bearers were Jeff and Shana Schmidt, Dana and Brian Hansen, Michael Schmidt, Jason and Renee Buchholz, Todd and Melissa Puchalla, Dennis Schmidt and Kyla, Michael and Brandi Reischel.

Memorials are suggested to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1324 15th Avenue, Bloomer, Wis. 54724.

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