Joseph A. Schmidt

Dad was born premature to Anton and Josephine Jentges Schmidt on Nov. 16, 1919, in Greencreek. Since he was not expected to live, a homemade incubator made out of a feather pillow was tied around him to keep him insulated from the cold air.

Both parents died when Dad was 7 years old, so he was raised by his grandparents, Philomena and Anton Jansen. After completion of the eighth grade his formal education stopped, and he worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the Army in 1942. He married his sweetheart, Agnes Anne Lustig, on Feb. 17, 1944, while on furlough. Dad was shipped overseas on Aug. 15, 1944, and it was 16 months before he was reunited with his bride.

Dad was in the Reconnaissance Company of the 14th Armored Division. Dad often told stories about sleeping nights in a foxhole with water in it, but said it was warmer below ground than above ground. When taps was played at night, he was kneeling beside his bed writing Mom a letter. They wrote to each other every day. Dad read and reread every letter until he had them memorized. That is what got him through the war - thinking about getting home to his wife and baby daughter, Millie.

Dad was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic achievement near Creussen, Germany, on April 15, 1945. Although the war ended in Europe May 8, 1945, Dad didn't get home until Dec. 12, 1945, because of a longshoremen's strike. The ships weren't moving, causing a bottle-neck of transporting the men home. Dad said this was the longest and hardest period of the war.

In March of 1946, Dad and Mom bought the home they raised their family of eight children in. Dad worked in construction for 40 years. He worked for Gus Larkin as his foreman until 1960. He then formed a partnership with Bill Hagen, and they worked together until 1974. After that, he went into business by himself as J.A. Schmidt, General Contractor. He retired in 1985.

Many of the area landmarks bear Dad's signature: Clarkston High School and gymnasium; Craigmont School; Culdesac gym; First National Bank in Cottonwood; McSorley School; Booth Hall addition; Holy Family Parish Center; Christian Science Church; Idaho Bank and Trust; addition to the Nez Perce County Courthouse; First National Bank, Orchards; Elmer's Restaurant; Science Building at Lewis-Clark State College; Potlatch Forests Credit Union; Albertsons in Clarkston; Lewiston Orchards Irrigation Office; remodel emergency room Gritman Medical Center; Lewiston Golf and Country Club; Owl Drug Store; and the Moose Lodge, just to name a few.

Dad served God, country, family and community faithfully throughout his life. He was active in many organizations. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, joining in 1947, before Holy Family Church had a KC council. He was one of the charter members who started the Holy Family Knights of Columbus in the early 1950s. In 1985, he received Washington Family of the Year award from the Knights of Columbus. In 2007, he was recognized for serving as their financial secretary for 47 years.

He was a life member of the Elks, serving as chaplain from 2002 to 2008. In 2008, he received the Elks Distinguished Citizenship award.

Dad was on the original board when the formation of the Monsignor Pautler Senior Center started in 1988. He remained active on the board until 2014, saying he wanted to make sure the center held true to the vision that began with Monsignor Pautler.

He was on the advisory board of Holy Family Parish for eight years and was on the board when the new church was built in 1963. He taught high school religious education classes for four years. He served as retreat captain for the Immaculate Heart Retreat House in Spokane.

Dad was also life member of Carpenters Union, Loyal Order of the Moose, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1992, he received the AARP Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

Dad served in the Boy Scouts, scouting for 22 years: six years as Scoutmaster for Holy Family Parish, 10 years on their troop committee as chairman and six years as Cubmaster. He received the St. George Award in 1959 and the Silver Beaver Award in 1969.

He held bragging rights of being the oldest living out of his 83 first cousins.

The family extends their thanks to Dad's wonderful caregivers, Carrie, Lynda and Cheryl, who lovingly cared for Dad the last years of his life so he could remain at home. Also thanks to Larry Nelson for his special devotion to Dad.

Dad is survived by daughters JoAnne (Mike) Cassetto of Pomeroy, Lue (Marv) Feucht of Lewiston, Paula (Ray) Winkler and Sonia (Denny) Osweiler of Spokane; sons Don (Kathy) Schmidt, Bill (Jessie) Schmidt of Clarkston and Ken (Isabella) Schmidt of The Woodlands, Texas; 22 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; brother Werner (Margie) Schmidt of Simi Valley, Calif.; and sisters-in-law Cleora Schmidt, Rita Wimer and Dolores Seubert of Cottonwood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes, in 2005; daughter Millie in 2004; his parents; brothers Hubert (Brother Mark), Carl and two who passed in infancy.

A rosary service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, followed by funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Clarkston. Burial will follow at Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston. Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made in his name to Holy Family School; or the charity of your choice.