Rev. Paul D. Schmidt

The Rev. Paul Donald Schmidt lived his life in full devotion to serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, following in the footsteps of his father, by becoming a pastor and devoting his life to full time ministry.

Born in the little town of Willow Lake, South Dakota, on October 17, 1926, Paul and his younger sister Eunice grew up in rural Chapin, Iowa where their father served as the pastor of the Zion Reformed Church. At home, Paul spoke German and at school, English. When he wasn't busy helping with outdoor chores, he spent time learning to play the piano and organ. In high school he was on the boys' basketball team. Paul was always busy organizing and planning, so it was no surprise that he came up with the idea to run muskrat trap lines for extra money. He was a smart boy and he grew into an intelligent man with much to offer the world.

After graduating high school in 1944, Paul enrolled in Central College, a Reformed Church college in Iowa where he completed his four-year degree in three years and two summers, at the same time working to pay his way through school. Paul attended Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, graduating with the Class of 1950. While attending an open house for Hope College Homecoming he met Evelyn Jannenga. a sophomore at Hope, and Paul found the courage to ask Evelyn if he could escort her to the Sunday evening service at the First Reformed Church. The rest was history, and the couple married on June 23, 1950.

1950 was memorable for another reason, too, as Paul's first year as pastor of the Pleasant Valley Reformed Church in Parkersburg, Iowa. Five years and four children later, Paul and Evelyn transferred to the First Reformed Church of Baldwin, Wisconsin, with their sons John, Mike, Jim and Ed. Two years later, Warren was born and the family was complete. Wisconsin was home until 1967 when the family moved to Munster, Indiana, when Paul became the Pastor of the Trinity Reformed Church. In 1977, Paul became the founding pastor of Hope Reformed Church in Muskegon, Michigan. There he united three local churches and founded one solid place of worship. He managed a building program or a church addition at every church he served. In 1987, Paul became one of the first pastors in a new Specialized Interim Ministry program for the Reformed Church in America. He served as an interim minister at Hope Reformed in West Bend, Wisconsin, and at the Sixth Reformed in Holland, Michigan, before retiring in the late 1990s. Paul's wonderful organizational and administrative skills were well used wherever he went.

During his "retirement years" Paul served as a calling minister at Grace Reformed and Christ Memorial Church in Holland. He enjoyed attending the Hope College men's basketball games and women's volleyball games, but he always found time to call on those in need. Paul was a real "people person" and nothing would stop him from connecting with others in a meaningful way.

His family has many fond memories - especially in family gardens. Since Paul grew up in a rural area, the work in the garden nurtured him. He would delegate work among the boys who weren't as thrilled as their dad to spend the day weeding and harvesting, but the boys worked as hard as their parents. When work in the garden was finished, everyone could go fishing - and did!

The Rev. Paul Schmidt will be remembered as a loving man of God who served his God, community, and family in full devotion. He will be deeply missed and dearly remembered.

Paul's family includes his wife of 56 years Evelyn (Jannenga) Schmidt of Holland. Children: the Rev. Dr. John Schmidt and the Rev. Dawn Boelkins of Holland, Michigan; Myron "Mike' and Denise Schmidt of Madison, Wisconsin; Jim and Sue Schmidt of Abilene, Texas; the Rev. Ed and Jennie Schmidt of Portage, Michigan; and Warren and Sherry Schmidt of Tampa, Florida; 11 grandchildren; sister Eunice Cordes of Hampton, Iowa; sister-in-law Evelyn Jannenga of Holland, Michigan; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

An opportunity to visit with family will take place on Tuesday, October 31 at 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Home, 188 West 32nd Street in Holland.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday November 1, 2006 at Christ Memorial Church of Holland. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Rev. Paul and Evelyn Schmidt Scholarship Fund at Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com for further information and an online registry.