Kenneth Niels Schmidt
June 17, 1939 – November 26, 2022
In loving memory of Ken who went to be with his Heavenly Father with his family by his side.
Ken is survived by his wife, Liz, with whom he happily shared 57 wonderful years, his children Kurt (Holly), Scott (Michelle), Britte (Tom) and Daren (Selena) along with 11 grandchildren who he dearly loved, brother-in-law Barry (Karen) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins scattered across the globe.
He is predeceased by his parents Jack and Nellie, parents-in-law Gordon and Enid Wood, and sister-in-law Marnie Robinson.
Ken was born and raised in Dryden, graduating from Dryden High School in 1956. He was thrust into the family market gardening and greenhouse business upon the sudden death of his father at the age of 19. Over the next few decades, he, along with his mother, developed Schmidt Flowers into a thriving part of Dryden’s business community. During this time, he had many interests, one of which was a lifelong passion for construction, building a number of houses in the vicinity of Schmidt Crescent, including his family home. He was passionate about cars and was an early member of the Dryden Roadrunners. Ken was also very musical, playing the organ regularly for Sunday services at First Baptist Church, where he and his family served for many years.
As the business continued to grow, it moved from the original location on Casimir Avenue to Princess Street, where he converted an old funeral home into “The Towne Square” which contained Schmidt Flowers and the Carousel Gift Shop. At the same time, he purchased land just outside of town to construct new greenhouses to grow flowers for the shop as well as bedding plants for spring and summer sales and poinsettias through the fall for Christmas. As time progressed, he also opened a flower and gift shop in Kenora which ran until the late 80s. One additional venture was to grow tree seedlings for local reforestation, eventually selling this off to his partner to focus on the growing retail and wholesale garden-center part of the business.
Ken was a vital part of the greenhouse operation right up to the end of his life, passing on his knowledge to his children and grandchildren as well as using his construction skills to maintain the operation. Most people will remember him as being an ambassador, constantly chatting with customers and passing on gardening advice in his gentle and friendly way.
Despite the demands of a busy life, Ken always found time for his family, whether it be a summer road trip vacation, watching his children play sports or spending time at the cottage with his grandchildren all around. Ken’s motto was to always dream big, and what made these dreams come true were his family and strong faith in his Saviour.
A Celebration of Ken’s life will take place on Friday, December 2nd, 2022, at 11am at the Full Gospel Church with Reverend Scott Jones officiating, with a luncheon immediately following the service. Please join us via Full Gospel Church’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/586180683514101/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%7D]%7D
Cremation has taken place and a private family memorial will be held in the summer.
In Ken’s memory, donations can be made to the Dryden Food Bank, 62 Queen St, Dryden, ON P8N 1A4
Condolences can be submitted to the Schmidt Greenhouses Facebook page, or posted at www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
