Bernard Joseph “Benny” Schmidt, 97, of Austin, Minn., died Sunday, July 29, 2012, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Benny was born Sept 2, 1914, in Waldorf, Minn., to Joseph and Katherine (Fischer) Schmidt. The family moved to the rural Rose Creek, Minn., area where Benny grew up. He married Alice Nelson in 1938 and they later divorced. He later married Mary K. Skinner.

Benny served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He participated in the battles at Iwo Jima, Bougainville, Guam and Guadalcanal. Benny was a Past Commander of the VFW and also a member of the American Legion and St. Augustine Catholic Church. He was a retired employee of Hormel Foods.

Benny lived in the Austin area until 1975, then moved to Nisswa, Minnesota before moving back to Austin in 2010. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting and bowling. Benny had a passion for the Minnesota Twins.

Survivors include three children, Diane Egemo of Spring Lake Park, Minn., Jeanne Thompson of Las Vegas and Robert Schmidt of Reno, Nev.; four stepchildren, Patricia Kitchings of Austin, Kathleen Lawrence of Costa Mesa, Calif., Michael Hull of Austin, Bridget Olson of Owatonna, Minn.; eight granddaughters; 17 great-grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy and Theresa.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary K. Schmidt; former wife, Alice; eight brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at Mayer Funeral Home with Father Donald Zenk officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at Mayer Funeral Home on Thursday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post No. 91 and VFW Post No. 1216.