Reed Schmidt

Reed W. Schmidt, age 67, of Atwater, died Wednesday, December 27, at his home in Atwater after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 5, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater. Interment will be at the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, January 4, at Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Reed Wayne Schmidt was born March 3, 1950, in Bemidji, Minnesota to Paul and Lois (Thomas) Schmidt. He grew up in northern Minnesota until his family moved to Willmar when he was in 10th grade. Reed graduated from Willmar High School in 1968 and then attended the Willmar Vo-Tech for business. On December 28, 1968, he married Lucy Eliason and they had four children. They lived in Willmar, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Morris, Frazee, and Perham where Reed worked for Tradehome Shoes, Old Home Bakery, and Barrel O' Fun. In 1975, Reed joined the Perham Police Reserves, where he later attended the police academy in Arden Hills. Upon completion of the police academy, he joined the Perham Police Department. In 1982, Reed became the Assistant Police Chief in Madison and was later promoted to Chief. He later worked as Police Chief in Goodview and at Hennepin County Medical Center. In 1996, he became the Police Chief in Atwater. From 2003 to 2004, he served as a contractor in Iraq where he trained the Iraqi police. In 2006, Reed was injured in the line of duty and lost his right eye. On August 6, 2010, Reed married Mary Nelson. He retired as Chief in August 2012, but continued to work part-time for the Atwater Police Department until June 2015. After retiring from the police force, he continued to work at the West Central Tribune and General Mailing.

Reed served on the Atwater City Council and Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council. He had also been a member of the Atwater Lions. He enjoyed riding motorcycle and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Reed is survived by his wife: Mary; five children: Heidi (and Tom) Heller of Roseville, Paul (and Amy) Schmidt of Atwater, Clint (and Stacy) Schmidt of Apple Valley, Sara (and Darin) Jahn of Blaine, and Lyle Schmidt of Atwater; two stepdaughters: Megan (and Craig) Lensing of Liberty Hill, TX and Emily Daun of Fargo, ND; 15 grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Connie Schmidt and Donna Schmidt, both of Bemidji; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Werner and Linda Nelson of Pillager; a sister-in-law: Jane Como of Marshall; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather: Alvin Kluzak; two brothers: Gary and Dale; and his K-9 partners, Max, Fritz and Dakota.

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