Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt

Obituary of Ken Schmidt

SCHMIDT, Kenneth John

June 4, 1958 - July 28, 2022

 

Ken Schmidt of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at the age of 64 years.

 

Ken was born in Kindersley, SK, the sixth child of Tommy and
Evie Schmidt, who farmed in the Smiley area.  He was the second born of a set of twins, following seven minutes behind his brother Kevin.  The two were lifelong ‘wombmates’ as Ken used to say. 

 

Ken grew up in this large busy family of nine on their farm until it was sold in 1970 after the passing of his father Tommy.  Evelyn and her four youngest children moved to Kindersley, where she resumed her teaching career.  In 1972 his mother was married to Fr. Brian Woodrow, a bachelor who was an Anglican priest. The family of six moved around a bit for the next several years. During his childhood years, Ken attended school in Smiley, SK, Kindersley, SK, Claresholm, AB, and finally Grenfell, SK. Ken graduated grade 12 from the Grenfell Composite High School in 1976. He moved to Claresholm, AB, just a few years after graduation, rejoining his twin and older brother, Don. He moved to Calgary in the early 1980’s, where he worked as a shipper/receiver and later as a building operator until June of 2022. He was a hard worker and loyal employee, and he became very skilled at carpentry, painting, and other necessary skills required to maintain large rental buildings in Calgary.

 

Ken had the opportunity through his employer, Boardwalk Realty, to go to Mexico and build homes as part of Habitat for Humanity. He was grateful for the experience and the opportunity to help others less fortunate. Ken also enjoyed supporting the Canadian Legion by lifting a few pints with loved ones over the years, especially his stepfather Brian Woodrow, who was a veteran and loyal supporter as well.  Of the Legion, not the beer.  Well, maybe the beer too…

 

 

Ken loved camping and fishing with a passion that he inherited from his father Tommy. He was the instigator and organizer of countless trips to lakes in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. With his handy list and strong organizational skills, he packed up for many a trip with family and friends over the years. He was also a fisherman at heart, releasing most of what he caught, but enjoying every catch, whether it was in the middle of summer or the coldest winter day out on the ice.

 

Family was the most important thing to Ken, always. He never had children of his own, but he was the favourite uncle and great-uncle to many children, some who were not even related by blood but became a part of his extended family. He was the fun adult, always ready to play games, cards, Nintendo, or whatever was on the agenda.  He had a big heart and he touched so many lives with his kindness, sense of humour, and grateful nature.

 

Ken is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Gloria Schmidt of Leduc, AB, and their two children Jennifer and Eric; his sister Linda Schmidt of Kindersley, SK, and her daughter Deanna; his sister MaryAnn Schmidt and her partner Peter, of Kindersley SK, and her children Donna, Shelley and Greg; his sister Joan Tarnes and her partner Merv, of Surrey, BC, and her children Jana and Aaron; his sister Carol Schmidt and her partner Garland, of Calgary, AB, and their daughter Carlie; and his oldest brother Don’s children, Jody, Michelle and Kory; his great-nieces and nephews Matthew, Chelsea, Nicole, Brett, Brandon, Cain, Paige, Oona, Karalynne, Kaden, Olivia, and Daniella; one great-great-niece Aubree, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. 

 

Ken was predeceased by his older brother Donald Schmidt, who passed in June 2021, his father Thomas Schmidt, who passed in October 1969, his mother Evelyn Woodrow, who passed in June 2015, his stepfather Brian Woodrow, who passed in January 2021, his niece Debbie Smith, who passed in March 2021, and his brother-in-law David Schmidt who passed in September 2020. 

 

Ken dearly loved and cherished the people who came into his life, and he was always incredibly grateful for the love and laughter he shared with so many people.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him in return. 

 

In living memory of Ken Schmidt, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

 

Click Here to View Ken Schmidt's Memorial Card

Share Your Memory of
Ken