Maynard C. Schmidt of Sturgis passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at Sturgis Regional Hospital due to complications from pneumonia. He was 87 years old.

Maynard was born on a farm near Herreid, SD, on August 30, 1926, to Christian and Lea Schmidt. He attended Herreid High School and graduated in 1944 and thereafter taught in a local country school for a short time.

In 1946, he married Elaine Pfeifer of Zeeland, ND. They lived in Sacramento, CA, for 2 years and returned to the family farm where they resided until 1997. Maynard took pride in his farm and the many crops that were harvested and faithfully took care of his cattle and other animals throughout the years. His only complaint was at the spring planting time when he had to pick rocks from the field..."the rocks just seem to grow larger every year" he would say. He retired in 1997 when he and Elaine sold the farm and moved to Sturgis.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Valley Telephone Cooperative in Herreid for 35 years and held the office of Vice-President from 1981-1997. He was also an active member in Jaycees and local civic and church groups. He often served as a crop surveyor for the Campbell County ASCS, and frequently assisted Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge with local funerals.

In Sturgis, he became actively involved with the Kiwanis Club and rarely missed the Thursday morning breakfast meeting. Continuing his involvement in community service, he served as the Director of the Kiwanis Food Panty until 2013. He was well known and highly regarded for his fund raising efforts, food collection activities, strong organizational skills, and outgoing personality locally and at the Pantry.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elaine; a daughter, Cheryl Schmidt of Belle Fourche; a son, Keith Schmidt and his wife, Annette, of Loudon, TN; three grandchildren, Chad Wilczynski of Rapid City, Jay Wilczynski of Spearfish, and Melissa Phillips and her husband, Brett, of Franklin, TN; two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Kellan Phillips; and his sister, Donna Sutton of Longview, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant daughter.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16th at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday May 17, 2014, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor Henrique Fleming officiating.

Maynard's family invites you to join them for refreshments (light food and beverages) immediately following the service at the Best Western Caddys Bar and Grill, 2431 South Junction Avenue, Sturgis, SD. Parking is available at the rear of the building and the gathering will take place in the lower level.

It is requested that any memorials or donations be made to the Sturgis Kiwanis Club Food Pantry.

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