Francis “Bylo” A. Schmidt

Francis A. Schmidt “Bylo” and “Smitty”, 88, of Moorhead, MN, died Wednesday, August 21, 2013 in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, MN.

He was born August 7th, 1925 in Plumber, Minnesota to Charles and Anne Mars Schmidt.

After losing his mother when he was nine years old, Francis joined the family band, playing trumpet and drums, in order to help make ends meet.
The “Smith Brothers” band balanced advertising the “12-year old trumpet player” with the anonymity needed to avoid child labor concerns, as they played seven nights a week in a variety of different venues around the tri- state area. Eventually the band was based out of Moorhead and they settled in to play big band dance music Thursdays through Saturdays at nearby establishments such as the Silver Star, Venice Gardens, and the American Legion. The band took a brief respite during WWII as both brothers entered the service, with Francis serving in the Navy from 1944-1946. Francis worked very hard to provide for his family, working as a parts manager and then a salesman in the auto industry during the day and playing in the band nights and weekends. He worked many years at Cordell Motors, Hustad’s, and Francis Peterson’s. Second to his love of music was his love of spending time with his family at the lakes.

Francis married Clarice Jossund on July 22nd, 1961, and they have three children. Francis is survived by his children; Mary Imad Haddad, Chuck Shawn Schmidt, Doug Julie Schmidt, seven grandchildren, older sister, Betty and numerous nieces and nephews.
Francis was preceded in death by wife Clarice, brother Charles, sister-in-law Orrie, parents, brothers and sisters.

The family of Francis Schmidt would like to express great gratitude to the staff of Eventide in Moorhead for their unwavering kindness and care.

Funeral: Sunday, August 15, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.
Visitation: One hour prior to service.
Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.