Brett Paul Schmidt, 54, of Willow Lake passed away on February 19, 2023, at Fairview Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in De Smet.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2023, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Father Richard Baumberger officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Brett was born in Pierre to Roger and Pauline (Aberle) Schmidt on August 1, 1968. He attended Huron Elementary until spring of 1981. His family moved to the Willow Lake area in August of 1981. He attended Willow Lake School and graduated in May of 1987. Following graduation, he attended Dakota Wesleyan University and played for the DWU football team for one year.
After the passing of his dad, Roger, he returned to take over the family farm. He married the love of his life, Rochelle Sour, in Bryant on July 15, 1995. They had two children, Nicolette (Nikki) and Mitchell. For the past 34 years, he built up the livestock and grain operation which has become known as Circle Arrow Ranch and Silver Dollar Cattle along with his wife, daughter, and son.
Brett enjoyed attending dirt track racing working as a pit crew member for Hanson 31 Racing and following his children to various livestock shows across the country. In the livestock community he was also known as “Cheese Burger on a Stick.” Throughout the years of attending racing and livestock shows, he acquired many friends. He thoroughly
August 1, 1968 – February 19, 2023
enjoyed talking to these friends and was rarely caught without his headset or “super busy” as his family would call it. Given the chance, he would start a conversation with anyone and everyone. He enjoyed watching his collection of DVDs and playing games with his family. He liked taking random road trips with his family and enjoyed finding different restaurants to try, as long as their menu included something with “four legs mooed or oinked.”
Those grateful to have shared his life are his wife of 27 years, Rochelle; his daughter Nicolette (Robert Beck) of Herreid; his son Mitchell of Willow Lake; and his mother Pauline of Willow Lake.
Preceding him in death are his father, Roger Schmidt, on February 10, 1989; his maternal grandparents, Leo and Magdalene Aberle; paternal grandparents John and Vivian Schmidt; and honorary grandparents, Joe and Clara Waldman.
(Pauline Schmidt’s address is 42360 193rd St., Willow Lake, SD 57278)