Meridean Schmidt

Meridean Kay Schmidt was born on June 24, 1951 in Reinbeck, Iowa, daughter of Melvin and Mary Jans.

Meridean trained to be a medical transcriptionist and got her degree from Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, Iowa. After a short time working in Iowa City she moved to Minneapolis to work for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and lived with her sister Marilyn. They were involved in theater and a church youth group. One of the members of that church group who happened to be Bud's roommate was dating another member of the group who happened to rent an apartment across from Meridean. Those two decided to go to the Taylor's Falls Interstate Park for a picnic on October 24, 1971. They each invited their roommates and friends and that's how Meridean met Bud.

Meridean and Bud were married on June 9th, 1973 and lived in south Minneapolis. When Bud got a job at 3M, and after Tammy was born, they moved to Cottage Grove, MN. Meridean was a stay at home mom for a number of years and then went back to work for HealthEast. Daughter Ann and son Dan were born so in order to focus much time on the children, she worked half time at various locations for a total of 40 years.

Meridean was always active in church activities especially the annual Mardi Gras. She was involved with Jaycees activities and was a member of the Red Hat Society. Meridean loved to travel and she and Bud even went to nine countries in Europe. In her retirement, Meridean loved spending time watching golf, Hallmark movies, the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting and arts events. She also enjoyed online shopping and her favorite Food Network shows. Her warmth, smile, and deep love for her family will be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by parents, Melvin and Mary Jans; sister, Jean Combs.

She is survived by loving husband of 52 years, Bud; children, Tammy Bieter, Ann (Tom) Ross, and Dan (Yvonne); grandchildren, Kallie and Lucas Bieter, Linnea, Kendall, and Clayton Ross, and Gavyn and Clara; siblings, Marilyn Jans, Mike (Lora) Jans, Ken (Michelle) Jans, and brother-in-law, Bruce Combs.

Visitation 4-6 PM, Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Visitation will continue at 10 AM with Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM, Monday, November 24, 2025 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park, MN 55071. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice.