Patricia Lou Schmidt

Patricia L. Schmidt, 91, of Elbow Lake, died Monday, April 6, 2026 in Crystal, MN.

Patricia Lou Schmidt was born July 14, 1934, to Harm and Rachel (Harding) Meester in Rock County, Luverne, MN.

On September 23, 1953, she married Charles Schmidt in Fergus Falls. They later divorced.

Patricia was employed in the restaurant industry as a waitress, hostess and owner. For many years she was employed at the Corner Bar in Fergus Falls. In the early 1980's she was the owner of Gram's Café in Wendell.

She was a member of the Legion for many years. She loved playing Bingo, playing cards, bowling, and playing pool. She also enjoyed personalizing clothing with fabric paint, crocheting blankets for her family members, playing Runescape, watching Western TV shows, and going to the Viking Café for breakfast with family. She cherished spending time with family, making lasting memories, and enjoying time together as a family. She loved to laugh and enjoy life without restraint.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harm and Rachel Meester; siblings, Ruby Alberta (Paul) Ferguson, Allyn (Charlotte) Meester, Lois (Dave) Lindlow, and Eugene Meester; Ex-husband, Charles Alden Schmidt; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Knutson.

Patricia is survived by her siblings, Gloria Torgusson and Judith Knutson; children, Dawn (Daniel) Gehrke of Elbow Lake, MN, Charles (Duangchan) Schmidt of Texas and Mark Schmidt of Texas; grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Babcock of Fargo, Danielle (Dustin) Olsen of Elbow Lake, and Jesse (fiancée, Phoebe Fero) Gehrke of Crystal, Tanner (Annie) Schmidt of Texas, Kyndle (Dishawn) McCutchen of Texas, Jereme Nelson of Texas, and James Nelson of Texas, Charlie Schmidt of Texas, Cristen (Blaine Treadwell) Schmidt of Texas, and Corey (Danielle) Schmidt of Texas; great grandchildren, Kaylee Gehrke of Wendell, Bowen and Emberly Babcock of Fargo, Will, Audrey, and Everett Olsen of Elbow Lake; Aubrey and Austin Treadwell of Texas, and Laken Schmidt of Texas, Luca McCuthchen of Texas and Brooklyn Carrasco of UK; great-great grandchildren, Layla Gehrke of Wendell; other family members of honorary mention, bonus daughter, Tara Torgusson (niece) of Fergus Falls and honorary grandchildren, Amanda, Alisha, and Ben Gehrke.

She was blessed to be surrounded by family during her hospice stay at Jesse's. A special thank you to Alisha for her love and support for family and Grandma Pat.

Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2026 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service.

Clergy: Reverend Kevin Patch

Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, MN at a later date.

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com