James L. Schmidt - Flandreau

Sept. 19, 1952 – June 22, 2017

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James L. Schmidt, 64, Flandreau, died Thursday, June 22, 2017, at his home under hospice care.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau. Burial is in the church cemetery. Visitation is Sunday from 3 – 5 p.m. with a 5 p.m. prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel.
Jim was born to LaVern and Minnie (Jerrel) Schmidt on Sept. 19, 1952, at Flandreau. He attended Tidd and Chamberlin country schools and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1970.
Jim worked at Counter Part in Brookings and as body shop manager at Julson Motors in Flandreau. Jim married Camilla Carlson on June 18, 1977, in Flandreau and they just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.  
Jim was a self-taught mechanic. He had a love for racing. In his early years he drove race car. He later started to build engines for others. He built engines for many local area race car drivers. He enjoyed sharing his gift by teaching others about mechanics and motor building. Jim also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandson, Connor. Jim was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church.
   Jim is survived by his wife, Camilla, two children, Lori (Travis) Lawson of Sioux Falls and Danny (Christina) of Flandreau; a grandson; four sisters, Barbara (Dick) Muckle of St. Paul, Minn., Beverly (Jerry) Austin of Keystone, Karen Schipper and Jerrelyn (Torry) Cole, both of Flandreau; three brothers, Bob and Rick, both of Flandreau and Steve (Brenda) of Baltic; nine brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom (Shirley) Carlson of Slayton, Minn., Kathleen (Doug) Bloemke of Winona, Minn., James Carlson, Paulette (Joe) Stefanick, and Francis (Sandy) Carlson, all of Garvin, Minn.; Marlene (Robbie) Morgan and John (Lori) Carlson, both of Tracy, Minn.; Joel Carlson of West Concord, Minn., and Michael (Melissa) Carlson of Granite Falls, Minn.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
For online condolences, visit www.skrochfc.com.