John passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

John Herman Schmidtke was born Nov. 1, 1927, in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Charles and Lena (Goerndt) Schmidtke. As a young boy, John attended country school District #15.

Growing up during World War II and feeling a sense of pride for his country prompted John to enlist in the U.S. Navy on April 17, 1945. He served his country proudly in the South Pacific and earned his honorable discharge on May 23, 1946.

Seven years later on May 23, 1953, John was united to the love of his life, Charlotte Plumhoff, in East Chain, Minn. The family made roots on an acreage near Ceylon, Minn, where they raised their two rambunctious sons, Douglas and Lonny. John worked at Fairmont Cast Stone and Morrells for many years. He also enjoyed working at Nu Way Coop and the Ceylon Legion Club.

John was a man of faith and served in many different roles as a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ceylon, Minn. The pride he had for serving his country spilled over to serving his community where he was a 27-year member of the Ceylon Fire Dept., a life member of the Ceylon American Legion, and member of the Estherville Veterans of Foreign Wars. John found excitement in the fall and looked forward to Friday nights under the lights at Ceylon High School where he worked on the chain gang and cheered on the Ceylon Huskies football team.

John had an adventurous spirit that led him on many hunting and fishing trips with his family and friends throughout the years. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and fondly reflected on 70 plus years of marriage to his wife, Charlotte. In later years, John found joy in building bird houses.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Charlotte Schmidtke; son, Douglas (Laurna) Schmidtke; daughter-in-law, Cindy Schmidtke; grandchildren, Nate (Chariya) Schmidtke, Laura (Ethan) Teveldal, Logan (Bre) Schmidtke and Brooke Schmidtke (David Lano); great-grandchildren, Sarah, Cameron, Emmah, Marcus and Jackson; as well as many other extended family and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lena Schmidtke; step-father, William Rosenberg; son, Lonny Schmidtke; sisters, Leona and Ruth; brothers, Herbert, Fred, Ervin, Elmer, Charles and Floyd. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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