Gladys Schmidt

Gladys Erminnie (Youngdahl) Schmidt was born to Gunard Gustaf Youngdahl and May Erminnie (Messenger) Youngdahl on May 19, 1924 in Austin, MN. Gladys graduated from Austin High School in 1942.

As a young woman, Gladys served as a youth counselor in the summers at a number of Methodist youth camps throughout the United States. She volunteered with youth counselors in California, received educational training in North Carolina and also taught in a youth camp in San Pedro, CA.

In 1945, Gladys went to Mankato State College for her elementary education certificate. Some of her first teaching jobs in Minnesota were in Myron, International Falls and Detroit Lakes. Along the way, she went to Scarett Christian College in Nashville and Memorial Church in Minneapolis. After one year of working as Director of Christian Education, she decided that kindergarten teaching was her real calling.

In 1959, Gladys started teaching in Faribault, MN where she taught in several schools. In August 1961 she married Richard Wallace Schmidt. To this union, they were blessed with two children: Mark Wallace and Ruth Irene.

Upon retirement, Richard and Gladys moved to Deer River, MN where they loved their “northern” home.

Gladys Schmidt, age 97, of Alexandria died on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at Knute Nelson in Alexandria.

Gladys is proceeded in death by her loving husband: Richard; her parents: Gunard and May; sister: Dorothy Bornfleth; and her in-laws: Wallace and Helen. She is survived by her son: Mark of Osakis, MN; her daughter: Ruth (Darin) Helgeson of Montgomery, MN; grandchildren: Luke and Isaac Schmidt of Osakis, Colton (Brooklyn Henninger) Helgeson of Elysian, MN, Scott (Alexandria) Helgeson of Faribault, MN, and Breonna (Kevin) Palacios of Faribault, MN; her brother: Gunard (Virginia) of Hollister, MO; two brothers-in-law: Thomas (Nancy) and Frank (Kay) Schmidt; and nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2021, 5:30 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, with visitation one-hour prior. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.