Kenneth Luthard Schmidtke

Kenneth Schmidtke, of Montevideo, passed away Monday, June 3, 2024 at CCM Health in Montevideo due to extended cardiac illness at the age of 81.

Memorial services will be held Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Montevideo with Pastor Kent Borglum officiating.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Kenneth Luthard Schmidtke was born March 6, 1943, in Montevideo to Luthard and Irene (Garrison-Pipke). He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Kenneth attended country school until he was required to stop to help on the farm. He later attended Concordia College in St Paul. Kenneth was united in marriage to Faye Saulsbury on March 20, 1964, in Benson, MN. They made their home on the family farm in rural Montevideo. After losing their infant son Kenneth they later received the gift of life with the adoption of their daughter Wendy. After Faye’s passing in 1992 Kenneth was united in marriage to Janet Peterson on June 11, 1995, in Maynard, MN. They made their home on the family farm in rural Montevideo.

Kenneth loved the land he called home and was a proud multigeneration farmer. Kenneth was proud of the hard-working, honest living that he made while farming. He also enjoyed working in the shop, tinkering, fixing, or welding on an array of projects. Ken was a bit of a kid at heart and loved games and technology of all kinds. Their house always had the latest electronics and gadgets, whether it was the disc movies, arcade style Pac-Man games or Nintendo and Super Nintendo games, he loved them all. Chess, Backgammon, and Rummikub were a couple of his favorite board games and he never passed up a chance for a quick game (or three or four) of Farkle. He loved the camaraderie of family, friendship and neighbors and was known to share a story (or three or four) with those who had time to visit.

Kenneth was a member of the Watson Volunteer Fire Department for more than 25 years, retiring in the late 1990’s. Kenneth was strong and confident in his faith. He was a long-time member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church followed by St John’s Lutheran Church both of Montevideo. He served and taught for many years in their youth ministry programs, spending lots of time at Lutheran Island Camp in Henning, MN.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter Wendy (Darren) Augeson, grandchildren Chase (Molly), Cole, and Callie Augeson; and two great grandchildren Weston and Wrenlee Augeson all of Montevideo; Sister Luella Johnsrud of Madison, MN; sister in law Darlene Wilts of Benson, brother in law LeRoy Sanders of Benson, sister in law Sue Saulsbury of Sunburg, MN and brother in law Rod Hofland of Benson, MN and many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends as well as his beloved dog Daisy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Faye; and infant son Kenneth Jr. on May 29, 1965.

Blessed be his memory.