Duaine Schmidt

Duaine Schmidt, age 75, of Dell Rapids, SD, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025 in Phoenix, AZ.

Funeral service for Duaine will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids, SD with Rev. Alan Blankenfeld officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Dell Rapids.

A visitation will be Friday, April 11th from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, also at the Minnehaha Funeral Home of Dell Rapids. There will be a celebration of life with special music and memories shared beginning at 7:00 PM.

Duaine was born in Dell Rapids on November 25th, 1949 the son of Lawrence and Irene (Schreier) Schmidt. He grew up on a farm north of Dell Rapids. He attended St. Mary’s school. He married Gail Whaley on December 1st. They were married 51 years. He worked for many years at Avera Hospital. He decided, while still at Avera, to start his own business which he called Schmidty’s Remodeled Rental Homes. He ran it until the day of his passing. His family will continue to run the business just as he did.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gail; his two daughters, Grace and Gina; brother-in-law, Duane (Bev) Whaley; sisters-in-law, Donna (Mike) Vardsveen, Mary Miles, Mildred Schmidt; brother-in-law, Bub Whaley; his favorite nephew, Scott Whaley; along with many other nieces, nephews, and other extended family; and his two close friends, Mark DeSchepper and Ed Begeman.

Duaine was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Henry and Richard; brother-in-law, Larry Whaley; niece, Trish Whaley; also, by Rob Longcrow, his hunting and fishing buddy for over 35 years.