David Schmidt

David Lee Schmidt, 68, passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 28, 2024, packed and ready to travel to Florida for a fishing trip. Dave was born November 11, 1955 to Nick and Bertha Schmidt.   

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, Feb. 5, at Corpus Christi Church, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck. 

Visitation will be held from 2:30-4:00 PM, Sunday, Feb. 4, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 4:00 PM. 

Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Solen, ND, in the spring.

He grew up on his family ranch in Timmer, North Dakota, which nurtured his immense love for nature and the land, referring to the western prairies as "God's Country". He attended elementary and high school in Flasher. Following graduation, he ranched alongside his father Nick, raising beef cattle and sheep. In 1978, he married Rosanne Allmaras and together they ranched and raised their three children. When his son was young, he would put him in the saddle in front of him on his trusty horse, Oak, and ride out to check the pastures and cattle. It was times like this on the prairie where he found peace and prayer in the midst of God's natural beauty.  

Dave was involved in his community, including organizations such as the Lions Club, Morton County Soil Conservation board, Flasher rural fire and ambulance department. He was a member of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, was a wool buyer for the North Central Wool Company, was a hunter safety instructor, and a 4-H leader. He served on the Board of Directors for Mor-Gran-Sou Electric for nine (9) years, and always said he enjoyed being an active part of building a better community.  

He was incredibly forward-thinking; nothing was more important to him than preserving natural resources for future generations. Dave and Rosanne were presented the Range Management award for outstanding accomplishment in the conservation of Rangeland and Related Resources. He was a natural caretaker of any creature, as well as a genuine steward of the land. Sharing his love for animals, agriculture, and respect for nature came naturally to him. Thus, Dave and Rosanne were invited to pilot a program, sponsored by the NDSU extension service, to visit elementary classrooms to teach children about farm and ranch life in a local series called “Mr. & Mrs. Farmer Go To School”. Dave participated in many research studies over the years with the extension service or other agencies, ranging from predator control utilizing Great Pyrenees dogs, to studying of native grasses to promote the proper rotation for grazing, or introducing beetles to control leafy spurge.  

People talk of those with a “servant heart” often, but no one exemplified this more than Dave. There wasn’t anyone in his life he wouldn’t lend a helping hand to, never expecting anything in return. Everyone who knew him saw he was a wealth of information and would listen when he spoke. He had a curious mind and knew there was always something more to be learned from a book, newspaper, magazine, or even an encyclopedia when he was low on new books. He loved history and poured over any written historical accounts he could find; biographies, local culture, and everything that shaped our country and the state he held so close to his heart. Years of this led to him creating a bucket list of historical landmarks all over the country he planned to travel to with Rosanne. They checked one trip off their bucket list, as they crammed into a camper for a weeklong road trip with their four oldest grandchildren. Dave introduced them to national parks, historic landmarks, and a very successful fossil dig. 

Unlike many in today’s world, Dave could see the value and purpose in old things. While many only saw brokenness and uselessness, he could fix anything or find a way to put those things to good use. He was a master at finding a deal whether it was on new vehicles or anything at the auctions where he found his historical treasures. He cultivated his love for auctions with his grandsons, even handing off the bidding paddle to a young grandson to bid on another treasure.  

After a long list of life accomplishments, he found his true calling as Grandpa. His dedication to his grandkids was unmatched, and he took incredible pride in sharing his legacy and passion for nature and the family ranch. He was happiest when he was hunting, fishing, or tinkering around the ranch. Dave was a great man, humble to the core with incredible patience. He had a unique sense of humor, loved a good joke and was known for his one-liners or ending a conversation with the question, "Did you know....?”. He loved his children and was proud of the adults they became. When his children moved back to Bismarck after they started having his grandchildren, he was so happy, saying, "All the chicks are back in the nest!"

Dave will be deeply missed by his wife Rosanne of 45 years, his children, Brielle (Dan) Holland, Erica (Justin) Segelstrom, and Nathan; his grandchildren, Gentry, Eli and Ella Holland, Ethan Schmidt, and Ava and Breien Segelstrom; his siblings, Marilyn Vollmer of Bismarck, ND, Jane (Tex) Murry, of Hastings, MN, Bonnie (Mike) Voigt of Menoken, ND, Steve (Cheri) of Grand Island, NE and Dean (Leanne) of Mandan, ND, and many nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Bertha; and brother-in-law, Ken Vollmer. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an organization of your choice in his honor. Or the family will donate to organizations supporting Dave's passions.