Ernest Markley Schmidt

Ernest Markley Schmidt, 71, of Fort Collins, died February 11, 2014 at his home.. Mr. Schmidt was born July 11, 1942 in Laramie, Wyoming to Alex and Edna Schmidt. Mr. Schmidt moved to Fort Collins from Laramie when he was 2 years old. When they were driving here from Laramie they lost everything they had due to a spark from one of the coal burning trains that caught all their belongings on fire while driving along the road. He graduated from Fort Collins High School and worked at Safeway before entering the Navy in 1961. After returning from the Navy in 1966 he was then employed by Drilling Engineers operating a drill rig used to sample soil for engineering studies. He retired in 2002. Ernest was very involved in the Mountaineers Jeep Club where he met his wife, Karen. He was a certified scuba diver. He was passionate about planes, trains, heavy equipment and all things mechanical. He particularly loved operating his Case Skidsteer. He had a dog named Angie who was his constant companion in his Skidsteer. He loved his kids and his family and would do anything he could to make sure they were all taken care of. He had a big heart and would help anyone out. He married Karen Millhome in 1972 in Fort Collins. Survivors include his son, Markley Ernest Schmidt of Aurora, Colorado; daughter, Dawn Marie Schmidt of Laporte, Colorado; brothers, Chris Deanne Schmidt of Fort Collins, Ted Schmidt of South Dakota; sister, Jeannine Wayne Huffman of Fort Collins; one grandchild, Scott of Texas. Preceding Ernest in death are his parents Alex and Edna; and brother, Peter Schmidt. A Memorial Service will be held at Southside Baptist Church, 620 South Horsetooth on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Ernest Markley Schmidt Memorial Fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.