Donald Edward Haack Smidt

Donald Edward Haack Smidt passed away October 5th, 2023 of natural causes in his home surrounded by family.  He was born March 31, 1937 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester to Alice Haack Smidt and Bert Russman Smidt.   He was baptized April 1937 at St. John’s Church - Stewartville, by  Rev. Walter Zemke.  His God-Parents were  Aunt Tena Smidt Poppen and Uncle Carl Schroeder.  He was confirmed April 2, 1950 at the same Church by Rev. Louis Bittner . He graduated from the Stewartville High School in 1955 and from Mankato State University in 1960.   He taught 34 years of Business Education at the Byron High School.  He owned and operated Smidt’s Scenic Travel, a charter travel service, for over 40 years.  He loved his garden, decorating for Christmas and Easter, entertaining and traveling.   Frankenmuth, Michigan was his favorite vacation spot. Don and Carol enjoyed spending many winters in Mesa, Arizona.  He was a seasoned traveler.  Time spent in Bethlehem with wife Carol, Cousins Luther, Faith, John and Carmella was a highlight in his life.

Quality time with his two grand-daughters was always special for him, being it on their many exciting trips together, attending their many sports events, making countless trips for each at St. Olaf and St. Thomas colleges, listening to them play the piano, making fudge or dipping strawberries and all of their special life events.

On November 26, “Thanksgiving Day” 1970 he married Carol Schumann at Trinity Church - Rochester  He was a life member of Churches affiliated with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod .  He will be missed by his wife Carol, son - Charles and his wife Tamera and two precious grand-daughters, Dr. Jacquelynn Faye, (Charlie Kirihara) and Grace Carolynn (Josh Botten); Don’s Great-Granddaughters Isla and Vera Kirihara, along with former students and travelers, relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. M Elrashidi and Seasons Hospice for their care throughout Don’s health journey. 

Service will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 222 Sixth Ave. SW, Rochester, Minnesota with Pastor Nathaniel Schwartz and Pastor Paul Frank officiating at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 12, 2023. 

Visitation at Griffin/Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, Minnesota at 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday October 11th and at Trinity Lutheran Church Rochester Minnesota on Thursday October 12 at 10:00 am.  Following the service, burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Stewartville. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church Rochester Minnesota, Rochester Central Lutheran School or Seasons Hospice. Arrangements are with Griffin - Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Don are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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