Mike “Smitty” Schmidt, 73 of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Essentia Health in Fargo with his loving daughters by his side. 
The Service of the Word to celebrate Smitty’s life will be 11:00 AM on Friday, May 31, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Red Lake Falls.
Michael Charles Schmidt was born October 3, 1950, in Fargo, ND, the son of Charles and Orrie (Strande) Schmidt. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. He attended school in Red Lake Falls, graduating from Lafayette High School with the class of 1968. Mike has been lovingly known as Smitty throughout his life.
On June 16, 1979, Smitty was united in marriage to Pamela “Pam” Nephew in Red Lake Falls. To this union two lovely daughters were born, Shanna and Michelle.
Smitty worked at various jobs in the Red Lake Falls area before beginning his career with the Red Lake County Highway Department. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and developed many friendships throughout those years.
At this time, Smitty began his road to sobriety which is something he maintained for the remainder of his life. He was very proud of his sobriety.
In the early 2000’s, he pursued his Boiler’s License and began working at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls. During MeritCare Hospital’s chili cookoff, Smitty was crowned Chili King from 2008-2010. He was Chief Engineer Plant Operator when he retired from Sanford Medical Center in 2019.
From 1978 until 2000, Smitty enjoyed volunteering with Red Lake Falls Fire Department and had worked his way to be the Assistant Fire Chief. Smitty enjoyed cooking and was excellent at it. He had a love for fishing at Lake-of-the-Woods, hunting, gardening, spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. He loved watching his grandson play football, became one fantastic volleyball Grandpa and a DGF Rebel fan! In his younger adult years, Smitty enjoyed mud runs, riding Arctic Cat snowmobiles, and tractor pulls.
Smitty can be described as independent, humorous, witty, a flirt, and stubborn.
Survivors include his daughters, Shanna (Tyler) Haas and Michelle (Dustin Cota) Schmidt of Dilworth, MN; grandchildren, Blake, Ava, Mckayla, and Addison; sister, Susan Schmidt of Woodbury, MN; mother of his children and good friend, Pam Schmidt of Dilworth; and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
