ELLINWOOD — Curtis Norman Schmidt, 85, passed away in Ellinwood, Kan. on Oct. 31, 2025. Born Jan. 28, 1940 in Great Bend, Kan. to parents Edward C. and Shirley E. (Sutton) Schmidt. Curtis attended Rural Banner then graduated from Chase High School in 1958 soon after he joined the United States Marines where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego for five years. Curtis worked construction in California and Texas. Later he worked abroad in Saudi Arabia for a year and Haiti for two years also in construction. Curtis later spent five years working for Dowell. In Kansas he worked 30 years at feedlots in Ellinwood, St. John, and Pratt. A resident of Pratt for ten years he moved to Ellinwood in 2018 where he always had a friendly wave and enjoyed spending time at the American Legion and Senior Center with close friends.

Curtis loved riding/roping and working with horses. He was a horseman through and through and was an expert at cutting cattle on horseback. Memberships include American Legion member since 1964 in Great Bend, Pratt, and Ellinwood and Odin Saddle Club.

Survivors include siblings, Margaret Snyder, Choctaw, Okla., Debby (Larry) Steffan, Chase, Kan., Doug (Michelle) Schmidt, Garden City, Kan., Denice (James) Sledd, Chase, Kan.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Curtis Schimidt Jr. (2019); sister, Martha Kassin; and brother-in-law, Byron Snyder.

Graveside service with military honors will take place 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8th at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, Kan. with Pastor Samuel Ryan officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Food Bank or American Legion Post #320 in care of Minnis Chapel, P.O. Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel

P.O. Box 246

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 4, 2025