COUNCIL #945 - OWATONNA REMEMBERS
JOHN BYRON SCHMIDT

 

John Byron Schmidt of Owatonna, MN died December 2, 2013 at the Owatonna Hospital surrounded by family. He was 90 years old.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 7th, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Owatonna, MN. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, December 6th, at the Brick-Meger Funeral Home of Owatonna, MN and for one hour prior to the funeral liturgy on Saturday. The Rosary will be recited by the Knights of Columbus at 6:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home.

He was born in Owatonna, MN, on August 6, 1923, the son of Byron and Elsie (Sander) Schmidt. After graduating from Owatonna High School in 1940, he worked for Jostens's in Owatonna in the medal and trophy department until he enlisted U.S. Navy in November 1942. John served as a Chief Petty Officer, stationed at the naval base in Cairns, Australia and later aboard a minesweeper in the Pacific theatre.

On November 1, 1944, John married LaVonne A. Carlson at St. Joseph's Church in Owatonna while in the Navy. They recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. After the war, they settled in Owatonna, where John represented Bankers Life Insurance Company until January, 1948.

John then worked for the Federated Insurance Company for 40 years in various capacities, both in the sales and underwriting departments, until he retired in June 1988. From 1952 to 1961, John represented Federated, first as a salesman in Missouri and later as a sales manager in Indiana. He then returned to the Home Office in Owatonna, where he served in various underwriting management capacities. At the time of his retirement, he was Vice President and Director of Products, Pricing and Rules for Casualty and Property Insurance.

John was an active member of St. Joseph's Church, serving for 3 years on the Board of Trustees, and many years as a Lector. He also served for 9 years as a member of the Owatonna Hospital Board, including 2 terms as Chairman. John was also President of the Owatonna Jaycees. He was an Honorary Life member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Owatonna Kiwanis Golden K. He enjoyed his annual retreats at the Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House.

He is survived by his wife, LaVonne; three sons, Michael (Anne) of Marshfield, WI; Gregory (Bonnie) of Prior Lake, MN; Patrick (Loreen) of Minnetonka, MN; and daughter Mary Monahan of Missoula, MT. He is further survived by grandchildren: Michelle Schmidt, Erika Merkel, Kristen (Nick) Olson, Matthew (Rachel) Schmidt, Andrew (Hilary) Schmidt; Daniel, Kurt, and Katie Schmidt; and Megan, Patrick (fiancée Amanda), Maura and Allison Monahan and great-grandchildren: Marin Kees, Jared and Mitchell Merkel, and Saylor Olson. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elizabeth Gernand.