Eldora Schmidt, age 95 of Belle Plaine, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2021, at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.  Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 1, at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine.  Rev. Mark Johnson will officiate.  Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday morning.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine.

Eldora was born at home in Blakeley Township to Paul & Pauline Woestehoff (Krentz) on October 7, 1926.   She was baptized and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church, rural Henderson, MN.

Eldora graduated from 8th grade from the one room Keystone School, District 40, rural Blakeley, MN.  She graduated from Belle Plaine High School as valedictorian on May 26, 1944.

She married Earl H. Schmidt on June 28th, 1944 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, rural Henderson.  They started farming in San Francisco Township, Carver County and remained there for 51 years.  They retired and moved into Belle Plaine in 1995.

After her marriage in 1944, she joined St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine.  Eldora’s faith was an extremely important part of her life.  She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was a Bible Study Leader.  She was also a part of the Ladies Aid and later the Mary-Ruth Circle.

Four children were born to this union.  Gary, Linda, Glenn, and Sandra.

Eldora was a loving, devoted, selfless and caring wife, mother and grandmother. She was an excellent homemaker and wonderful cook and canner of their vegetable gardens and prepared many, many delicious meals for her family over the years, no matter what the occasion was.   Best known for her hotdishes, broccoli salad, homemade buns and strawberry jam, you never left Mom or Grandma feeling hungry.  She had an exceptional memory and was known to her family and others as a Belle Plaine and Keystone historian and she loved to share that knowledge with everyone.

Eldora is survived by her children:  Gary Schmidt (special friend Jeannie Marnoff), Linda (Gregory) Schwichtenberg, Glenn (Heidi) Schmidt and Sandra (Kevin) Wolpern.  Grandchildren:  Steven (Sheila) Schmidt, Scott (Karla) Schmidt, Terry (Jenny) Schmidt, Julie (David) Nybakke, Brent (Margaret) Schwichtenberg, Jodi (Keith) Corbin, Chad Schmidt, Amanda (Ryan) Brandts, Jennifer (Gabriel) Nobilis, Stephanie Sailor, Emily Capaul (Clint Borka), Melissa Capaul, Cassie (Mark) Koch and Abby Wolpern.  Great-Grandchildren:  Tylor Schmidt (Robert Moehrle), Jacob Schmidt, Sabrina Schaefer (Jesse Nelson), Mikkel Schmidt, Josie Schmidt, Brody Schmidt, Mason Schmidt, Elizabeth Schmidt, Morgan Schmidt, Erin Nybakke, Jared Nybakke, Becca Schwichtenberg, McKenzie Schwichtenberg, Peyton Schwichtenberg, Miles Corbin, Beckham Brandts, Greyson Brandts, Tatum Brandts, Cadence Peterson, Liam Nobilis, Kennedy Koch, Brynlee Koch and Eisley Koch.   Great-Great Grandchildren: Norman Schmidt, Orion Nelson, Cloud Nelson and Luna Nelson.

She is also survived by her brother Ralph Woestehoff, sister-in laws Irma Woestehoff and Lila Schmidt and many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives. 

She is preceded in death by her Husband Earl in December 2003.  Parents: Paul and Pauline Woestehoff.  Parents in-law Frank and Emma Schmidt.  Sister Marilyn Kroells and Brother-in-law William P Kroells, brother Arnold Woestehoff, Sister-in-laws Marvel Stier and Carol Stier.  Brother-in-laws Elmer Stier and Donald Schmidt.   Daughter-in-law Nella Schmidt.  Great-grandchildren Derrick Schmidt and Rosa Schmidt. 

Pallbearers will be her Grandsons.