Delores Audrey Schmidt

DELORES AUDREY SCHMIDT was born to Alfred Ernest and Rosa Margaret (Wahlert) Staeffler on February 14, 1935 in Luverne, Minnesota. She was raised on a farm east of Hardwick, Minnesota where she attended school in District #55. She continued her education at the Luverne High School. After her graduation in 1953, she worked in an insurance agency in Luverne. In 1955, she became employed with the Rock County Extension Office. On June 29, 1957, she was united in marriage to John Schmidt at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm in Sweet Township of Pipestone County and Delores worked at the Pipestone County Extension Office until the birth of her first child. At that time, she stayed at home to care for her children. While living on the farm, she raised poultry and sold eggs. In 1968, she began working as a secretary at the Pipestone Insurance Agency. She earned her insurance license in 1982 and continued working at this agency until Lathem Insurance purchased the business. She then became employed by the Key Agency in Pipestone until her retirement in 1999. At this time, she worked part-time for Farm Bureau Insurance Agency, she worked as a receptionist at the Pipestone Vet Clinic, and she worked part-time for D’s Sanitation. Delores passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at the Pipestone Medical Center at the age of 86 years, six months, and 17 days.

Delores was baptized on June 2, 1935 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Luverne and confirmed in 1947 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. She was currently a member of St. Leo Catholic Church where she was active in the Ladies Aid and was a circle leader. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Hi Neighbor Birthday Club, and the Pipestone Senior Citizens. She enjoyed watching TV, especially the Minnesota Twins. She also enjoyed baking, and everyone loved her angel food cakes. Her spare time was spent playing solitaire on the computer. She enjoyed watching her children at their 4-H and school events. She looked forward to family get togethers, especially Christmas where she could be with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 64 years, John E. Schmidt of Pipestone, Minnesota; three children, John A. (Joyce) Schmidt of Pipestone, Minnesota, Joan A. (Barry) Kelley of LeRaysville, Pennsylvania, and Jacqueline J. (Danny) Schaefer of Marshall, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Jenna (Patrick) McGunegill, Amber (Brad) Seiss, Brittney Schaefer, Shelby (Steven) Buchholz, Addy Schaefer, and Jason (Rebecca) Kelley; and great-grandchildren, Logan, Mabry, Max, and Lenox McGunegill, Piper and Brooks Seiss, and Alice and Austin Schaefer. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Virgil Staeffler; her sister-in-law, Marjorie Staeffler; her nephew, Larry Staeffler; and her niece, Sandra Vander Beek.

Memorials are preferred to the St. Leo Catholic Church maintenance fund, 415 Hiawatha Ave, Pipestone, Minnesota 56164.