Palmer Schmidt, 80, Turtle Lake, ND died August 3, 2022 at CHI Community Memorial Hospital, Turtle Lake.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 8, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake.  Interment will be held in the Hillside Cemetery, Mercer, ND.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday.  The funeral service will be livestreamed at the bottom of his obituary on this page.

Palmer was born June 29, 1942 near McClusky, ND the son of Hilbert and Tillie (Boschee) Schmidt.  He was raised and educated North of Mercer.  He attended country school and later received his GED.  Palmer also attended electrical lineman school in Mandan, ND before being called home to help on the farm and later ranched.  Palmer married Gloria Helm on October 14, 1966 at the Turtle Lake United Methodist Church.  To this union, two children were born, Anna and Anthony.  Palmer and Gloria ranched and had a large garden and worked to be self-sufficient.

Palmer was a self-taught musician who played the keyboard, guitar and accordion.  He played in many bands throughout the years and enjoyed entertaining with his singing and playing for over 50 years. He also drove school bus for 32 years and even after retiring, he continued to sub as a driver as he loved kids.  He also worked at Turtle Lake Livestock Auction barn.

He was a member of the Mercer Volunteer Fire Department, Turtle Lake Lions Club and was an honorary member of the Turtle Lake American Legion Post 133 and a member of the Turtle Lake Methodist Church where he served as trustee.

His wife Gloria passed away April 2, 2000.  In 2004, Palmer bought a house in Turtle Lake and remodeled it with a room specifically for his music.  He spent a lot of time in his room enjoying his music.  In 2010, Palmer, in his lonely life, met a friend who loved to sing, Ramona Lelm.  Together, they did a lot of entertaining.

Palmer is survived by his daughter, Anna (Gary) Sharp of Fargo; his son, Anthony (Lisa) of Mercer; grandchildren, Kaylee Schmidt, Conner Schmidt, Angela (John) Sharp, Jessica (Allen) Sharp and Jayden and Brooklyn Wilson; great grandchildren, Blaze and Kylie; a sister, Diane Schmidt of Bismarck; brothers, Arnold (Sharon) of Pendleton, OR and Bennie (Vickie) of Turtle Lake and a sister-in-law, Nancy Schmidt of Bismarck and several nieces and nephews and special friends, Ramona Lelm and Harper Sathren both of Turtle Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilbert & Tillie; his wife, Gloria; sisters: Anna McPherson, Delores Rench, Betty Meier and a brother, Marvin.