Dialo O. Schmidt
Dialo Owen Schmidt was born July 10, 1933, on a farm near Columbia, SD, to Charlie and Leone Schmidt. Dialo passed away on December 29, 2025, at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs SD. Dialo grew up during the depression era and developed a great sense of humor, entertaining family and friends all his life. Dialo attended Daly Corner School and James School, graduating from Columbia High School in 1951.
Upon graduation, he worked at Columbia grain elevator. Less than a year later, he joined the Army. He was stationed at Walter Reed Army Hospital and then sent to Korea, where he was Medical Battalion Supply Sergeant until honorable discharge in February of 1954. In 2016, Dialo and other veterans were recognized at the State Capitol, receiving a Peace Medal from the South Korean government.
Dialo married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Kluck, on August 15, 1952. They had four children and were married 50 years until her death in 2002. They loved dancing and were known for their beautiful waltzes. They also enjoyed decorating their homes inside and out, receiving awards for “most beautiful lawn” and “most beautiful Christmas decorations”. After the military, Dialo resumed work at the Columbia grain elevator, then served as manager at elevators in Bradley, DeSmet, and Clark until he retired. Afterwards, he served as interim manager at seven different elevators around the state. Dialo enjoyed serving his community, participating in various boards, playing Santa Claus, and performing in the first Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in DeSmet. Dialo also enjoyed carpentry and woodworking projects.
After Margaret passed away, Dialo moved to Aberdeen and worked at Performance Ag until 2017. Dialo married his childhood friend, Gerry Dehne Rathert, in November of 2004 until her death in 2023. They enjoyed going to dances, cooking together, and spending time with family. In June of this year, he moved to the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.
Dialo was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margaret, daughter Kathy, wife Gerry, brother Bevan Schmidt, sister Beverly Shaw, son-in-law George Holmes, and step-granddaughter Laura Holmes.
He is survived by two sisters, Charlotte Bohling and Myrna Linder; his three children, Randy (Patsy) Schmidt, Vickie Holmes, and Kelly (Jay) Blair; son-in-law Dennis Walker; 7 grandchildren (Lisa, Amanda, Tony, Lezlie, Danielle, Allison & Brandon); 2 step-grandchildren (Bill & George Holmes), 11 great-grandchildren (Matte, Adrik, Jantzen, Will, Keison, Aubrynne, Rhyan, Kai, Jackson, Adison, & Ayda); and 12 stepchildren (Gail, Clint, Deanna, Randy, Bonni, Lance, Bret, Bart, Kelly, Marti, Roger & Kyra).