Michael Schmidt

It is with sadness of heart that we share the death of Michael Clarence Schmidt, 65 years of age and longtime resident of Arapahoe County, Colorado, passed into eternal life July 4, 2014 peacefully at home. Michael was born to Ernest and Edna Schmidt in Ladysmith, Wisconsin on April 12, 1949. With his parents and siblings, Virginia (Ginger) Quirk, David, Kenneth, William and Patrick Schmidt, he moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in the early 1960's. He attended North Middle school and Palmer High School where he graduated in 1967. He began his college career at the University of Southern Colorado transferring to Colorado State University in 1969. While attending CSU, he excelled in the Natural Sciences finishing a Bachelor of Science in Forest Biology. It was while he was in Fort Collins he met the love of his life Sheila (Shea) Schmidt. After graduating from CSU in 1972, Mike fought forest fires having been on the front line of the Big Thompson Fires; he taught forestry to the disabled; traveled over the road selling chainsaws; and spent the last 34 years working in forestry and construction products at Georgia-Pacific/BlueLinx. Mike's true passion was his family. Starting in the mid-1980s Mike and Sheila played on a co-ed soccer team. A passion he shared with all his sons till his last son left to college. He rarely missed a game, and could always be found silently cheering on his sons from the defensive end of the field. Mike was an avid lover of any activity he could share with his sons. Hours laying under cars teaching them the do's and don'ts of auto repair to the infinite patience teaching the tricks of his art form -- wood working. Mike did not always enjoy having to fix or repair, sometimes daily, but never turned down an opportunity to share his advice with his sons. Mikes second passion till the end was the gardens he and Sheila nourished together at their home. No conversation was complete till he informed the listener which rose had just opened or what Iris was tallest. Mike's skill with his hands was like that of an artist. The precision and craftsmanship he had in his woodshop was a mirror to the dedication and beauty he showed in the care of his family and those he choose to be a part of his family. His hallmark chessboards presented only to close friends and family were a dedication to the classic simple joys of life meant to be shared. Mike is survived by his wife, Sheila, sons, Ryan, Kelly, Kerry, Dennis, daughter-in-law, Alina, and grandson, Shea.