Alan Schmitt, 87, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 26, 2026 surrounded by his loving family at Reflections Retirement Resort.
Alan was born in Eads, Colorado on June 8, 1938, to Marjorie Genevieve (Howell) and Leonard Alexander Schmitt.
Alan grew up on their family farm, learning chores and having work opportunities with neighbor farmers.
Alan married the love of his life, Kathleen Weed, on May 24, 1958. Their journeys were many over next 10 years following Alan’s work all over the state of Kansas with Reece Construction, making home and new friends in various communities. Eventually, they settled into their permanent home in Salina, KS in 1968.
Here, Alan slowly-but-surely built their forever home, doing much of the work himself. Together they started their own construction operation, Midway Equipment Rental, as owners and operators.
Alan ran the equipment and Kathleen managed the books. He had a hand in the construction of countless structures and projects in and around Salina. Construction crews would comment, he was one of the best crane operators in the area. Eventually, he hung up his hard hat, and slowly sold his big toys, aka equipment.
Though their marriage, Alan and Kathleen demonstrated for their family the importance of being a dedicated partner throughout the challenges of life. Alan and Kathleen raised 3 sons who grew into successful young men. He was a steady presence in the lives of his grandchildren, always ready to lend a hand, help fix something and cheer them on.
Their later years were spent traveling; visiting family and seeing the country by car, bus or cruise ship. They enjoyed spending time at the lake, fishing and camping. Alan never tried a flavor of ice cream, cookie or cake that he didn’t like. He was seen on numerous occasions with a spoon in his shirt pocket, because you just never know.
Alan was the sort of man who would do anything for anyone, never expecting recognition or anything in return. He was also the sort of man who needed to keep busy. If it snowed, he had an excuse to drive the skid loader up the road to clear drive ways for the neighbors. If a grandkid showed up at the house with a vehicle making a funny noise, it was an excuse to get into the shop and get his hands dirty.
The best way for us to honor Alan’s life is to carry this spirit forward – lend a hand, show up when someone needs you, and put peanut butter on your pancakes; because Grampa always knows best.Survivors include two sons: Leonard Alan Schmitt Jr. (Kay), of Salina; Brian Schmitt (Joane), of Gypsum; grandchildren: Jessica Bender (David), of Gardner, Angela Dixon (Colby), of Gardner, Carolyn Schmitt (Ross Siebe), of Manhattan, Michael Pope (Shannon), of Maize, Joseph Pope (Krystin), of Salina; brother-in-laws: Duane Weed of Wisconsin, Richard Olson, of Tonganoxie; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Schmitt.
He is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Samara Bender, Reed Bender, Teagan Pope, Hudson Pope, and Kinsley Pope; and numerous other family members who loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathleen; son, Dennis Schmitt; and siblings, Rosemary Stoker, Lewis Schmitt, and Nancy Olson.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 6th at Carlson - Geisendorf Funeral Home in Salina, Kansas.
The family requests donations be made to Bill Fekas Family Christmas Dinner, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.
To send online condolences to the family, visit the funeral home website at www.carlsonfh.net or the Facebook page.