Mark Schmidt

Mark Schmidt, 29, died Sunday, June 25, 2006, at Rathdrum, Idaho, following a year of battling cancer.

He was born April 27, 1977, in Milwaukee, Wis., and grew up in Oak Creek, Wis. He moved to Libby in 2000 after he married Amber Johnson-Schmidt of Libby to be close to her family. He worked as a plumbing estimator for a local Couer d'Alene business, 3H Mechanical.

In June of 2005 at age 28, he was diagnosed with stage 5 colorectal cancer. He was unable to walk or eat the last couple months of his life. Days before his death his best friend's daughter, Brynn, asked him if he would be at her birthday party in August? He simply said '"I don't think so but I will definitely be walking by then.."

He was an extremely devoted husband and father. He loved his wife and children more than life itself. He is survived by his wife, Amber, who slept on the floor by his bedside during the past year, and his four beautiful children: Ty, 12; Casey, 5; Jack, 4, and Lucy Moon, 2.

He is also survived by his parents Barb and Ellis Schmidt of Webeno, Wis. In-laws Sandra and Guy Hankins of Spokane, Wash., and Tony and Cindy Johnson of Libby, younger brother's Dean and Scot, his extended family and too many friends to list.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to the family to Mark Schmidt Family Benefit Fund for medical bills and funeral expenses by visiting any Idaho Panhandle State Bank in Idaho.