Virgil Joseph Hammerschmidt

Virgil Joseph Hammerschmidt, 85, died on Friday, July 7, 2023, at the Clarkfield Care Center in Clarkfield, Minnesota. A graveside service will be held for Virgil at the Minnesota Veterans’ Cemetery in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Virgil Joseph Hammerschmidt was born on March 4, 1938, in Wabasso Village, Minnesota, the son of Joseph Paul and Susan M. (Bernardy) Hammerschmidt. Virgil was baptized and confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wabasso, Minnesota. He attended school in Wabasso through the ninth grade. In 1955 Virgil enlisted in the U. S. Army. He served during the Vietnam War until 1957. He belonged to the American Legion and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Wabasso and Marshall, Minnesota were places Virgil called home. He worked in a variety of sales and food industry jobs throughout the years. He worked at the Wabasso Farmers’ Elevator, Pete Woefel Construction, Wabasso Public Schools, Wabasso Volunteer Firemen’s, and Schwan’s. He retired from Schwan’s in 2001 and moved to Benson to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law. Deer hunting and fishing were hobbies Virgil loved. Virgil is survived by his children Kimberly (Paul) Baker of La Conner, WA, Robert (Jennifer) Hammerschmidt) of Benson, MN, and Daryl (Heather) Hammerschmidt of Mt. Vernon, WA.; ten grandchildren: Ashley Kang, Adam Baker, Alix Fleming, Nichole, Natasha, Kelsey, and Cody Hammerschmidt, and Aspen and Orion Hammerschmidt; ten great-grandchildren: Danica, Calliope, and Marley Kang, Easton and Allister Baker, Christopher Thielke, Tatum Haase, Kaylee and Alexis Schmitz; siblings: Delbert Hammerschmidt of Savage, MN, Alois Hammerschmidt of Eden Prairie, MN, and Clifford (Barb) Hammerschmidt of Spicer, MN. Virgil is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Sue, sisters-in-law Karen and Mary, granddaughter Stacy, great-granddaughter Sophie, and brother Eldon.