Peter Clifford Schmidt, 81, longtime teacher and coach at Pacelli High School, passed away Oct. 27, 2014, at the Adams Healthcare Center after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago.

Peter was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, on March 28, 1933, and raised by Clifford and Marietta Reeths. He attended Marshfield Columbus High School until 1951 when he dropped out to join the United States Army. He was later medically discharged due to a parachuting accident while stationed in Germany. Encouraged by high school football coach, Marty Crowe, he relocated to Austin, Minnesota, to finish out high school and play football and basketball. Peter graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1953.

Peter met the love of his life, Bernadine Braun in 1953. He proposed to her in the middle of the Austin Athletic Field and they were later married June 27, 1953, at Sacred Heart Church in Adams. From this marriage came five children; Peter, Timothy, William, Paul and Beth.

Peter attended Austin Community College to obtain his Associate’s Degree and later attended Winona State University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies. He started his coaching and teaching career in Eyota, Minnesota, in 1958 and continued his education at Mankato State University where he was awarded a Master’s Degree in American history in 1962. He relocated his family to Ironwood, Missouri, where he continued to teach and coach at St. Ambrose High School. A call from Father Cunningham at Queen of Angels School brought Peter back to Austin where he taught and coached for the remainder of his 31-year career at Pacelli High School.

During his years at Pacelli, Peter enjoyed working countless hours to accomplish many of his lifelong goals and dreams. He started the Boys and Girls Track and Cross Country teams and established the wrestling and intramural programs. He was part of many state individual and team champions including the 1971 and 1972 Girls Champion Track teams, the 1983 and 1984 Boys Champion Track teams, and the 1992 Boys Champion Basketball team. He always said, though, that his greatest accomplishment was being able to teach and coach every one of his five children.

Besides his love of teaching and coaching, Peter also enjoyed playing disc golf, car rides in the country, and watching endless hours of football, basketball, and baseball. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Bernadine “Bernie” Schmidt; five children: Peter A. (Chun Ok) Schmidt, Las Vegas, Nevada, Timothy Schmidt, Austin, William (Patty) Schmidt, Scottsdale, Arizona, Paul (Merrily) Schmidt, Austin, Beth (Dan) Trom, Blooming Prairie; brother, Doug Schmidt, Marshfield, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters-in-law.

A memorial mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes and Father Steve Peterson officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post No. 91. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pacelli High School, the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, or charity of your choice. Condolences may be left at www.mayerfh.com.