On July 17, 2014, Michael “Ota” Schmidt was surrounded by family when he met his wife and Creator in Heaven. Mike was in a motor vehicle accident six days prior to his death. Due to complications from his injuries, he was unable to make a recovery.
Mike was born Aug. 9, 1930, in Zuckmantel, Romania, to Michael and Sara Schmidt. Mike was a decedent of German immigrants who migrated to Romania. He was very proud of his German heritage and shared many stories of the old country. Mike would describe leaving his hometown during WWII to escape the Russian invasion. His family fled into Germany and then Austria. There they lived and worked on farms for food and board. In 1949, Mike met the love of his life, Anna Schmidt, and they married April 22, 1950. In 1953, Mike arrived in the United States with his wife, Anna, their 14-month-old child, Honnelore, and $6 in his pocket.
Mike was able to achieve his “American dream.” With lots of hard work, he learned the language, provided for his family, helped bring other family members to the states and lived a comfortable life. One of the things Mike and Anna were most proud of was the farm they bought in Sharon in 1976. They loved the property and made it their own little paradise. Mike’s dream was to live out his days on the property he loved. His family was happy to help make that dream a reality until the day of the accident. Mike taught his family the importance of a strong faith in God, the value of a sound investment, the meaning of a good work ethic, the importance of family and the love and sometime sacrifice you make for them. Mike valued family and friends, had a strong will, loving personality and a glow in his eyes that captivated all he met. He will be greatly missed.
Mike is survived by his sister Sara (Joe) Dittrich; daughter Honnelora Purden; son Henry Schmidt; and grandchildren Eric (Lindsay) Schmidt, Anthony Schmidt, Michael Purden and Krysann Million.
Visitation will be at Toynton Funeral Home in Walworth from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Triune Lutheran Church in Sharon. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Triune Lutheran Church.
In Mike’s own words, “gut genug.”
