Lyle Freeman Schmidt

Lyle Freeman Schmidt, 88, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died Monday, December 2, 2013 at the VA Medical Center, Fargo, North Dakota. On May 7, 1925, Lyle was the first born child of Walter and Vi (Freeman) Schmidt in Fairmont, Minnesota. He spent most of his childhood in the Minneapolis area and graduated from Oakwood Academy in 1948. Soon after high school he served in the armed forces during WWII and eventually served as a medic in Okinawa. Lyle achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to his honorable discharge from the Army. Lyle was united in marriage to Ruby Burgeson on June 4, 1947 in Anoka, Minnesota. Lyle continued his education at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, receiving a degree in education. He worked various jobs in his early years after college. They made their home in Mound, Minnesota and in 1962 moved to Detroit Lakes, where Lyle began his teaching career that lasted 30 years, until retiring in 1992. While teaching, Lyle completed his Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of Minnesota in 1978. Lyle was an active member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He also enjoyed photography, leather craft, cooking Chinese food, golfing and gardening. Lyle is survived by his two sons, Gerald (Kathy) Schmidt of Park Rapids, MN; Barry Schmidt of Detroit Lakes, MN; three grandchildren, Kris (Julio) Pitre, Angela (Matt) Plitzkow and Deborah Schmidt; one great-grandson, Ethan Pitre; one sister, Nona Owen of Springfield, MO and her three children, Peggy, Craig & Jay; two brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Karen) Burgeson of Detroit Lakes, MN; Donald (Lou) Burgeson of Mesa, AZ. Lyle was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Ruby (2009).