Michael A. “Mike” Schmidt, 59, Catharine, died Friday, November 25, 2022, at HaysMed.
He was born October 19, 1963, in Hays the son of Emery R. and Shirley (Pfeifer) Schmidt. In 1982, he graduated from Hays High School and was a lifelong wheat farmer and cattleman, member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, and was a member of the St. Catherine Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #11687. On June 1, 1984, he was united in marriage to Ann L. Nichols in Catharine. Mike never new a stranger and loved to spend time visiting with friends and family, in addition to numerous interests including spending time at the lake, watching the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, and episodes of his favorite TV show, Gunsmoke. He was a phenomenal cook and griller, loved his family including his dogs, Bruiser and Miles, enjoyed butchering beef and pork for his family, and driving his Ranger around the farm with his twin grandsons aboard, checking on cattle and visiting his neighbors.
Survivors include his wife Ann, of the home, his mother Shirley Schmidt of Catharine, his mother-in-law Carolyn Nichols of Hays, a son Michael P. Schmidt of Catharine, two daughters: Casey Wendel and husband Nathan of Catharine and Carly Schmidt and boyfriend Tyler Boling of Salina, a brother Greg Schmidt and wife Pam of Catharine, two sisters: Jackie Jones and husband Tim of Hays and Lisa Stouffer and husband Allen of Leavenworth, his sister-in-law Courtney Schmeidler of Hays, three grandsons: Tyler, Clayton, and Bennett Wendel, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Emery Schmidt, and his father-in-law William Nichols.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at St. Catherine Catholic Church with Fr. Earl Befort officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the church. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, followed by a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are suggested to Mike’s grandson’s education with checks payable to: Ann Schmidt. Condolences and memories of Mike may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com