RONALD JAY SCHMIDT, age 60, of Mankato, formerly of Reading, died Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at his home. He was born July 30, 1965, in Worthington, to Wendell and Verla (Jongetjes) Schmidt. Ron graduated from Worthington High School in 1984. He was also a member of the Reading Boy Scout Troupe #113.

Ron met Mary Kuemper in 1994. The couple raised four children and lived in Mankato and also in Wichita, KS, before moving back to Mankato. Ron worked as a heavy equipment operator at Midwest Contracting, in Marshall, for over twenty five years. He then worked in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #49 for Dobczynski & Sons.

He served in the Civil Service in Iraq from 2006 to 2007. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and spending time at his cabin at Cass Lake (but not as much as spending time with his children & grandchildren).

Ron is survived by his mother, Verla Wheeler, Reading; friend, Mary Kuemper, Mankato; four children, Matthew (Ashley) Kuemper, Mankato; Sarah (fiancé, Cody) Kuemper, Medway, MA; Daniel (partner, Courtney) Kuemper, Mankato; and Jessica (partner, Sergio) Kuemper, Chaska; six grandchildren, Ayana, Isaac, Leon, Maslow, Camdyn, and Noah; a brother, Brad Schmidt, Minneapolis; and a sister-in-law, Patrice Schmidt, Stillwater.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wendell Schmidt; step father, Kirk Wheeler; and a brother, Michael Schmidt.

Memorial service will be 11 am Saturday, September 27 at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington. A time of fellowship will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Committal of cremains will be at a later date.