Steve Schmit

Stephen Robert Schmit, 70, of Bemidji, MN died Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Sanford Medical Center.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, June 19, 2021, at the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

Steve was born in Eau Claire, WI, the firstborn son of Jim and Dorothy Schmit. During his childhood he grew to love many things: baseball, music, and education. After high school graduation, Steve continued his schooling at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and married his high school sweetheart, Kathy.

Steve enlisted in the US Air Force in May of 1970. He served in the Medical Corps in Omaha, NE, where he and Kathy had their son, Eric. Steve attended university in Nebraska, and finished his Bachelor of Science Degree as a Registered Nurse in 1975 at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. He was then commissioned as an Officer in the Air Force. During his military career, the Schmit family were stationed many places, including, Spokane, WA; the Philippines; and San Antonio, TX, where they had their daughter, Steffany.

Tiring of the frequent moves, and wanting to get closer to family, Steve transferred to the United States Public Health Service and moved to Bemidji to work for Red Lake Indian Health Service. After serving in Red Lake for a time, Steve continued his education at the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks, where he got his degree as a Physician’s Assistant. As a PA, he worked for the Cass Lake Indian Health Service.

On January 1, 2000, Steve opted to retire from Public Health Service. Never content to be idle, he turned his attention to the local community, working at Ace Hardware in Bemidji, before finding a new passion and becoming ordained as an Episcopal priest. He served many years at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Bemidji, until health issues necessitated his retirement.

Steve had so many interests in life. He was a musician, playing the oboe for the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra. He had great love for animals (especially little black cats) and contributed to the Humane Society often. Steve was also an outdoorsman. He enjoyed fly fishing, camping, hiking, and target shooting. Beyond everything, Steve was a kind person and truly believed in what he preached. He was a fighter for social justice, and contributed to Doctors Without Borders and the local food shelf. He had an affinity for travel and cooking, and loved to experience new things. Steve shared a love of fine art and comics with his daughter, while also sharing a love for motorcycles and music with his son. Steve had a scientific, analytical mind that also managed to be very spiritual. He was an avid reader and enjoyed photography, pottery, jewelry, and a nice knife.

Steve was a very doting husband and loved Kathy with all his heart. Steve was also a proud father and loved his children, Eric and Stef, and daughter-in-law, Sarah, very much.

He is survived by his: Wife, Kathy Schmit; Daughter, Steffany Schmit;

Daughter-in-law, Sarah Schmit; Brothers, Stan (Rosemary) Schmit, and Terry (Julie) Schmit,

Several nieces and nephews; and four cats.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Eric Schmit.

Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.