Ruth Lois Schmidt

life story

Her laughter will be deeply missed.

Ruth's laugh made everyone around her smile. She had a way of helping people feel lighter. Her warmth and laughter will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Ruth L Schmidt

Ruth Lois Schmidt (née Diedrich), departed this life on September 17, 2026, at the age of 92. Born on May 3, 1934, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, Ruth was the daughter of the late Alfred Raymond and Opal Mollie (Winterrowd) Diedrich of Tony, Wisconsin.

Raised on the family farm, Ruth often rode bareback to school. She often spoke of childhood memories of milking cows, feeding chickens and helping with farm chores. Her charm and popularity were evident early on, as she graced her community as both a Mardi Gras queen and a yearbook queen, eventually graduating from Tony High School in 1952 with fond memories of her formative years. She truly enjoyed attending many school reunions and seeing her classmates over the years. She was excited upon graduation to take a job as a telephone operator at a time when many young women had few opportunities for employment.

In 1955, Ruth married the love of her life, Rev. Willis “Bill” Schmidt, and they settled in Coon Rapids Minnesota in 1967, beginning a dedicated partnership that would span decades. Together, they ministered to Church of Christ congregations throughout La Crosse, Wisconsin, Coon Rapids, New Hope, and Maplewood, Minnesota. Ruth tirelessly supported the congregation through the hosting of fellowship dinners and the nurturing of the youngest members in the church nursery. Later in life, she transitioned into a career as a dietary aide at Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minnesota, where she was valued for her kindness and work ethic.

Following Bill’s retirement, Ruth remained a woman of faith, attending the Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. In her later years she resided at a senior campus at Anoka and Rogers, Minnesota. She entered hospice care and passed away peacefully at the Parkview Care Center, Buffalo Minnesota. Those who knew her will always remember Ruth for her warm, radiant personality and her contagious laugh, which could light up any room.

She leaves behind her 3 children, Marguerite (Schmidt) and Matthew Hagman, Diane (Schmidt-Hoffmann) and Tom Kotila, Kurt and Emily (Bastyr) Schmidt, her eight grandchildren, and her four great-grandchildren.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, a private celebration of life will be held at a later date to honor her.