LEONARD EDWARD SCHMIDT

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LEONARD EDWARD SCHMIDT BEd, BA, MA, OFM (Former), OFE Leonard Edward Schmidt was born in Winnipeg, MB on December 17, 1928, the son of Joseph and Mary Schmidt (nee Blachar). Supported by family and embraced by the light of Jesus, he transitioned into Heavenly Eternity on Monday, August 13, 2018. Words of Remembrance will be said at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at the St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place, Winnipeg, MB. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Father Wayne Morrissey presiding. A private family interment will be held at Holy Ghost Cemetery at a later date. LECLAIRE BROTHERS 475 Provencher Blvd., in care of arrangements, 204-775-2220
Publish Date: Aug 25, 2018

LEONARD EDWARD SCHMIDT BEd, BA, MA, OFM (Former), OFE Leonard Edward Schmidt was born in Winnipeg, MB on December 17, 1928, the son of Joseph and Mary Schmidt (nee Blachar). Supported by family and embraced by the light of Jesus, he transitioned into Heavenly Eternity on Monday, August 13, 2018. He attended school at St. Joseph's, Faraday, Luxton and St. John's, as well as St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba and Laval University, achieving a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Education. Leonard entered the Franciscan Novitiate in Sherbrooke, Quebec in 1953 and departed the order in 1968. Leonard taught at St. Anthony's College in Edmonton and also taught high school in Michel-Natal, BC and Swan River, MB. He served as Parochial Vicar Priest in Maillardville, BC for two years where he preached in French and also served as the parish administrator on Salt Spring Island. Upon his return to Winnipeg, Leonard taught at the Cecil Rhodes School, Springfield Junior High, and then at the Richland School in the Ridgeland Hutterite Colony. Leonard married Adeline Kvemshagen on December 29, 1969. They enjoyed a happy, loving marriage for over 48 years, which was anchored by their Roman Catholic and United Church faiths. During their entire marriage, they attended weekly services at both United and Catholic churches. Upon leaving teaching due to ill health, Leonard established Adlen Health Food Store on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg. At the same time, he became a real estate broker and owner of Adlen Realty. He retired in 1995. Leonard was the co-founder of the Alpha & Omega Christian Community. He also co-established the Spiritual Growth Group which discussed the writings of Saint John of The Cross who was a 16th century Spanish mystic and poet. For 10 years, Leonard was the Chairman of the Board of the Morris Center, an orthomolecular treatment center in Winnipeg, directed by Sister Theresa Feist, OSU. Leonard was a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as the Serra Club and Corpus Canada. In 1974 he was named the first chairperson of the Manitoba League of the Physically Handicapped (MLPH), now known as the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD). For many years, Leonard enjoyed attending the annual retreats for the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Laity where he served on the organizing committee. Originally a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, over the years, Leonard moved on to St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, Holy Family Church, St. Bernadette Parish and lastly to the St. John Brebeuf Roman Catholic Church. Over the years, Leonard and Adeline enjoyed living in six different homes in various parts of Winnipeg. In 2011 Leonard and Adeline made their final move to Portsmouth Retirement Residence in Tuxedo. In 2015, Adeline was relocated to Misericordia Place Nursing Home. Leonard continued to live at Portsmouth until June 2018. He truly considered Portsmouth to be his heaven on earth. In June 2018, Leonard moved to Misericordia Place and was once again reunited with Adeline. Leonard never let his challenges with Cerebral Palsy and later Macular Degeneration defeat his zest for living. In November, 2017, Leonard was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Despite a poor prognosis, Leonard continued his life with enthusiasm, a positive outlook and readiness for his transition to Eternity. Leonard has been reunited with his parents, Joseph and Mary Schmidt, who predeceased him in 1978 and 1980; his beloved great-nephew Jared James Daoust (son of Leslie Flynn) who passed away in 2014 at the age of 25; his brother-in-law Jim Flynn (2015); as well as his lifelong friends, Frank Bott, Stanley Kolt and Henry Kalen. Leonard will be forever loved and honoured by his sister Helene Flynn, her children, Terry (Angela, Kyle, Erica, Brooke) and Leslie (Claude and Aaron) of Winnipeg, as well as his brother Joseph Schmidt Jr. (Michele), their children, Stephen (Donna), Joanne (Jeff), Matthew (Alice), Ryan (Jeff), Kevin, and their families of Toronto and Ottawa. Leonard wanted to express great appreciation to the many people in his life who truly brought comfort and joy to him including his family, friends, Brother Knights and caregivers. He is especially grateful to Leslie Flynn, Terry Flynn, as well as David and Sylvia Hood. Words of Remembrance will be said at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at the St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place, Winnipeg, MB. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Father Wayne Morrissey presiding. A private family interment will be held at Holy Ghost Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Leonard's memory may be made to the St. John Brebeuf School Bursary Fund, or to Siloam Mission, 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M3. LECLAIRE BROTHERS 475 Provencher Blvd., in care of arrangements, 204-775-2220
Publish Date: Aug 18, 2018

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 18, 2018, Aug 25, 2018