Shirley Arlene Schmitt

Shirley Arlene Schmitt, age 91, a lifetime Park Rapids area resident, passed peacefully on December 6, 2020, at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN, surrounded by her loved ones. Shirley was born on January 6, 1929, in Osage Township of Becker County, MN to Robert and Etta (Gilpin) Witter. It was in the Osage, MN area that she attended public school through the eighth grade and then went on to attend and graduate from Park Rapids High School. She was united in marriage to Charles L. Hinkley. Their union was blessed with four children: Debbie, Becky, Charles Raymond, and Trudee. Shirley devoted herself to making a loving home for her husband and children. She was later married to Fred Schmitt on October 14, 1975. They made their home first in Fridley and then in Anoka until retiring to Park Rapids in 1986. Shirley and Fred enjoyed traveling the United States together with their fifth-wheel camper. Throughout her lifetime, Shirley felt blessed to have such a wonderful family. She appreciated all the help they gave her with Fred when he was so ill. Their love meant the world to her. She also felt so fortunate to be able to watch her grandchildren grow into such fine adults and to bless her life with so many precious great and great-great-grandchildren. Her faith was an important part of her life and it brought her through many difficult trials. She enjoyed being part of the Riverside United Methodist Church for many years. She was also a member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post Auxiliary 212 and had served as a Past President. She will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters: Debbie (Dean) Stearns, Becky (Gary) Bestodeau and Trudee Hinkley; her son, Ray (Deb) Hinkley; eleven dearly loved grandchildren; 20 special great-grandchildren and three precious great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Patricia Corporal, and brother, Mike Witter; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands: Charles Hinkley and Fred Schmitt; her brother, Maynard Witter and three sisters: Evelyn Wilcox, Winnifred Poole, and Jean who died at three years of age. The family would like to thank the Heritage Living Center for all of the good care they gave to Shirley over the years she resided there. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be announced and held at a later date.