Obituary
SCHMIDT, Ernest Joseph
July 1, 1936 – January 24, 2020
Ernie was born on July 1, 1936 in Allan SK to Joseph and Magdelina Schmidt (nee Fischer). He received his Auto Body Mechanic Apprenticeship in 1957, working with his brothers George & John in Provost, Alberta at Provost Auto Body Shop. He later took over the family homestead. Ernie married Lillian Katherine Kary in 1960. They were together for 40 years before they went their separate ways. During their time together they raised two happy girls on their glorious pristine farmyard. It was stunning and the family enjoyed the absolute privilege of watching the sunset and rise each day. If you ever drove into their yard, you know it was truly a magical place. He worked hard, but he never made it seem that way. Every job was a cycle of life of the land that he truly loved. He seemed to drink it all in and experienced farming & nature like no other. He made it seem easy. “E. Schmidt & Daughters, Grain & Girls”, he had it decaled on the grain truck. He possessed a unique skill set of ingenuity and creativity that he was seemingly unaware of. He just delighted to share his knowledge and it gave him great joy. Learning or working with Ernie was so much fun you didn’t even realize he was teaching a skill or a lesson. Yet, ever so humble, we can only trust that he realized just how much he meant to all of the special people in his life. Ernie would say that he never went looking for opportunity – it just found him. Among his accomplishments were his demolition business of grain elevators and commercial buildings. He was a professional photographer and we are so grateful for the memories he captured that we have to keep. Ernie carved snow with his niece Theresa Wright & her team, and together they represented the Province of Saskatchewan three times carving snow on Parliament Hill and in Quebec City. Ernie is survived by his daughters, Sharon (Steven) Miller of Saskatoon and Pauline (Andrew) Travers of Warman. Granddaughters Brooke Schultz, Brett Travers, Paige Travers (Colton Janswick) and step-son Gordon Miller. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Metz of Edmonton, Lena Wright of Saskatoon, Helen (Richard) Boechler of Saskatoon, and sister-in-law Anne of Provost AB. Brothers John (Loretta) of Provost and Fr. Anthony “Tony” of Saskatoon. He is also survived by many very special nieces and nephews. Ernie was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Magdalena Schmidt. He will be happy to reunite with them as he always said, “They were so good to me.” Brothers Adam, George and Joseph and sisters Elizabeth Carlson, Genevieve Wright and Eva Williams. The family wishes to thank the paramedics at MD Ambulance and the Trauma Care Team at Royal University Hospital. Your absolute care and compassion were beyond measure. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Ernie to READ Saskatoon, #2 706 Duchess St Saskatoon, SK S7K 0R3. Ernie shared a very special connection to READ Saskatoon. And while we mourn the loss of our father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother and uncle, we wish for all of you to celebrate his indomitable spirit and love of life. He will forever be in our hearts and every fibre of our being. He will forever be the very best of us. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church (1902 Munroe Avenue, Saskatoon SK), with Celebrant Rev. Fr. Mike Dechant, OMI. The Rite of Committal will be held at a later date at a private family ceremony at Allan Roman Catholic Cemetery, Allan, SK. To send online condolences please visit www.mourningglory.ca. Arrangements in care of David Schurr – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ernest Schmidt January 24 2020..
Mourning Glory Funeral Services
Death notice for the town of: Saskatoon, Province: Saskatchewan