Wilfrid Wallace Schmidt, 88, of Woonsocket, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2017, at Avera Weskota Manor, Wessington Springs.
Funeral Mass was held Wednesday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Wilfrid Catholic Church, Woonsocket, with Fr. Jim Friedrich, officiating. Inurnment was in the church cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday, May 23 from 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by a scripture service at 7 p.m.
Wilfrid W. Schmidt was  born Nov. 5, 1928, to Adolph and Zita (McCall) Schmidt on the Schmidt homestead in northeast Aurora County. He attended Woodmansee country school for seven years, then attended eighth grade at St Joseph’s Catholic School in Woonsocket. He graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1946.
Wilfrid attended a short electrical course, helped wire a couple of houses, and used this knowledge the rest of his life on the farm. He helped on the family farm until he started to rent land from his uncle, Henry, and his father after high school. He started farming in 1952.
Wilfrid married Patricia “Pat” Navin on Aug. 13, 1952, at Holy Family Church in Mitchell.
He was on the Belford School Board, during which time the Belford School was built. He was a member of the Belford Township Board for over 30 years and was an active member of St. Wilfrid Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Wilfrid retired from farming in 2009. He then moved to assisted living in Mitchell, and most recently Avera Weskota Manor in Wessington Springs.
He enjoyed everything about the farm, including giving tractor rides, spending time with family, and was known for his love of Schwann’s food and ice cream.
Grateful for having shared his life are his five children, Linda (Doug) Kiesz of Bowdle, Pamela (Ron) Gastelecutto of Caldwell, Idaho, Kevin (Janelle) Schmidt of Las Gatos, Calif., David “Terry” (Susan) Schmidt of Olathe, Kan., and Kenneth (Lynne) Schmidt of Woonsocket; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Albert (Muriel “Mike”) Schmidt of Woonsocket; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; an infant son, Curtis; and  two sisters, Marion Goergen and Katie Robbins.
Arrangements are by the Basham Funeral Home, Woonsocket.