Merle Marlin Schmidt

Merle Marlin Schmidt, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at his home in Louisburg, Kansas.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Louisburg First Baptist Church, 406 S Vine Street, Louisburg, Kansas 66053. Memorial service will follow at 11:00 am, also at the church.

Merle was born to Milton and Ethel (Bachmeier) Schmidt on September 25, 1946, in Minot, North Dakota. He graduated from Velva High School, Velva, ND. He then attended the University of North Dakota on a baseball scholarship. Merle went on to graduate from Minot State University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration and Accounting.

Merle moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1970. He started his career with the federal government as an auditor with the U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare. In 1972, he transferred to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Cost Allocation. Merle later moved to the Kansas City area. When the Division’s regional offices consolidated in 1989, he transferred to the Dallas, Texas office, and served as the Division’s Director until he retired in 2001. During his 32-year career as a public servant, he traveled throughout a 16-state region to meet with leadership of state government offices, hospitals, and universities to ensure that federal government research money was used appropriately. His individual and team work protected millions of government tax dollars, and ensured that critical research was conducted.

Merle met his wife, Nancy in 1985 at the Federal Building in Kansas City, Missouri. Their dates were mostly attending sporting events and mowing at her paternal grandparents’ farmstead. The couple married on June 25, 1988, in Wichita, Kansas. In 2003, after Merle’s retirement, they moved to Louisburg, Kansas, so they could be actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives. It was rare that Merle missed one of the grandkids’ ball games or school activities. He treasured the time he was able to spend with them playing sports, pulling them with the tractor, watching movies, telling corny jokes, and sharing meals as a family. Watching all four of his grandchildren grow up to be kindhearted, intelligent and confident adults was his life’s greatest joy.

Merle’s love of sports began in childhood with him following the Green Bay Packers and the New York Yankees. In 1964, he played first base when his high school baseball team won the state championship. Merle had season tickets to the Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys, but had to settle for only attending three games of (and owning stock in) his beloved Green Bay Packers. He was fortunate to have participated in the KC Royals Dream Week in 1990, and the Richard Petty Racecar Driving Experience in 1995. In his later years, Merle took pride in developing and maintaining a 10-acre “hobby ranch” and relished the faithful companionship of his dogs; Lambeau, Jasmine, and Jolene.

Merle accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized in 1999. He was a member of the DeSoto Christian Church, DeSoto, Texas. His faith in Jesus was quiet and personal, and sustained him through his three-year battle with cancer.

Merle is preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Ethel; sister and brother-in-law, Lavon and Dale Holte.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Laurie (Larry) Birt; son, Mike (Tabitha) Schmidt; four grandchildren, Caroline and Charlie Birt, Peyton and Samantha Schmidt; one brother, Melvin (Margaret) Schmidt, as well as two nieces and three nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care or Always and Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, P.O. Box 669, Louisburg, Kansas 66053.