Earnie Schmit

Earnie Schmit, Retired US Army Colonel, past ND State American Legion Commander, American Legion National Adjutant and North Dakota Field Representative for Congressman Mark Andrews, died on October 11, 2012, aged 95, with his sons by his side. Military graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, October 15, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Earnie could not have imagined as a 23 year old leaving Beach, North Dakota to join the army in 1941 that he was actually taking the first steps of a career largely in service of his country and the men and women in uniform who defend it. Before shipping out for Officer Training he married his sweetheart, from Turtle Lake and Bismarck, Anne Thurn. Just before he left for Europe during WW2 Anne gave birth to their first son, Nick. Earnie returned from the war as a Captain and promptly joined the American Legion Post in Beach as well as the Army Reserves where over the years he worked his way to higher ranks. Over the next 12 years in Beach, Earnie and Anne had a second son, Dave, while Earnie owned and operated two service stations as well as a tire and radiator repair shop. In 1957 he ran successfully for State American Legion Commander, a position that allowed him to become familiar with Legion Posts and Legionaires all around the state. That experience led to a position in the state headquarters in Fargo. He was asked to manage former governor John Davis's ultimately successful campaign for National American Legion Commander, after which Earnie was appointed to the position of National Adjutant of the American Legion in Indianapolis. He and Commander Davis toured American bases in SE Asia for a first-hand account of our war efforts in Vietnam. But, Earnie wanted to live and work in North Dakota, so in 1967 he returned, rejoined the active army and accepted responsibility for the ND Selective Service, eventually working his way to the rank of Colonel. Earnie's exceptional familiarity with the towns and people of North Dakota from his past positions prompted Congressman Mark Andrews to ask him to manage his office in Bismarck and to be his North Dakota field representative, which he did with aplomb. He had a special interest in people and an exceptional skill for remembering their names and personal details which was very helpful to the Congressman's work in the state. In 1982 Earnie and Anne, who was a primary school teacher, both retired and began spending winters in Mesa and summers in Bismarck, a life rich with sunshine, new friends and experiences. Trips to Sacramento to visit Dave and his wife Barb and to the Twin City area to visit Nick and his wife Karen filled out their travel calendar each year. In 2004 Anne passed away. After a long and full life Earnie has rejoined his sweetheart.

Earnie Schmit

July 25, 1917 - October 11, 2012