Sylvia Oetter Schmidt, 96, of Fargo, N.D., formerly of Bisbee, N.D., passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at her residence in Fargo.
Services celebrating Sylvia’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 9, 2016, at the Bisbee Lutheran Church of Bisbee, N.D., with Pastor Bonnie Weaver officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment was at the Bisbee Lutheran Cemetery. Lunch was served at the Lutheran Church following the celebration.
Sylvia was born Nov 2, 1919, at her family home in Bliss, Neb., to John Michael Oetter and Julius (Heinricksen) Oetter. She grew up on the farm, attending the local country school. She then continued her education in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1938 she moved to California for two years and worked as an assistant to Dr. Elgi. She then returned to Sioux City and worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Whithey. She met Waldemar A. Schmidt, of Sioux City, at a church social. They were married March 4, 1942.
During WWII Sylvia and Waldemar spent their winters in Sioux City and summers in Bisbee. In 1948, their house near Bisbee was finished after its construction was put on hold during the war. From then on they called Bisbee their home. Besides raising four children, Sylvia was active in the Bisbee community. She owned and managed the Small Town Motel, was a den mother for the Cub Scouts, taught Sunday school, was an officer for the Federated Women's Club of America, an active member of the Bisbee Curling Club and, with her teammates, held the title of State Champion.
In 1964 she acquired the Chocolate Shop and managed the restaurant for years, staying active in the business until the age of 80 when vision issues caused her to retire. She continued ownership of the local landmark for over 50 years until her death.
Sylvia also enjoyed time with her family, gardening and traveling. She enjoyed the outdoors and spent most summer weekends at the family cabin on Rock Lake, Manitoba, Canada, fishing. In 1979 Waldemar and Sylvia started spending their winters in Fountain Hills, where she wintered for over 25 years until moving to Fargo in 2006. She was very fond of dogs, and had Dachshunds as her constant companions.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother and sister-in-law Lester and Bernice Oetter of O’Neill, Neb.; oldest son Walden Schmidt of Bisbee; daughter-in-law Donna Pentz Schmidt of Castlegar, B.C.; and many friends.
She is survived by her children, Dana Schmidt (Kris) Castlegar of B.C., Canada; Randal Schmidt of Bisbee; Telsa (Vern) Lindquist of Watertown, Wis.; Solveig Kristensen Land of Minneapolis, Minn.; Jack Kristensen of Stavanger, Norway; daughter-in-law Sheila Schmidt of Bisbee; grandchildren Christi Johnson (Carole) of Fargo; Jerry (Lisa) Johnson of Fargo; Cindy Rodenhizer (Tim) of Indialantic, Fla.; Cheri (Mark) Larson of Bismarck; Cheryl (Joe) Pawlak of Eustis, Fla.; Brian Schmidt (Jenny) Sutton NSW, Australia; great-grandchildren Kieran and Adrian Schmidt, Keli Johnson, Morgan and Nathan Pawlak, Brittany and Aaron (Callie) Larson, great-great grandchild, Cullen Larson; niece Joyce Oetter (Buck) of Denton, Texas, and nephews Larry (Carol) Oetter of Aurora, N.C., and Jerry Oetter of Hudson, Wis.
Donations can be made in her name to the following charities or other charities of your choice in lieu of flowers:
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