Margaret Sue “Midge” Schmitgen, 79, of Reeds Spring, Missouri
Margaret Sue “Midge” Schmitgen, 79, of Reeds Spring, Missouri, passed away on July 19, 2026.
Midge was born to Robert and Leona Calhoon on April 13, 1947, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was raised in Lakewood, California, and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1965.
She married Bob Johnson on July 10, 1965, and moved to Smithland, Iowa, in 1967 where they raised their three sons: Monte, Dustin, and Tyler. Midge loved animals and enjoyed riding horses.
In 2001, Midge moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota, where she worked as a design consultant and artist at Blue Earth Monument. She married Harlan “Harley” Schmitgen on February 04, 2003, in Centennial, Wyoming. Midge and Harley retired from the monument business in 2011 and moved to Branson where they enjoyed warmer winters.
Midge had a lifelong love of painting and was a gifted artist from an early age. In high school, her art teacher recognized her talent and asked her to help teach the class. She continued painting throughout her adult life, and many of her works remain displayed in the homes of family and friends.
In the late 1990s, Midge began taking woodcarving classes and quickly developed a passion for the craft. She soon became highly regarded in the woodcarving community and was recognized as one of the best animal carvers in the country. Harley and Midge traveled the country teaching woodcarving seminars and worked part-time as woodcarvers at Silver Dollar City during retirement.
Midge loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Praise & Worship Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Robert and Leona Calhoon, and her brother, Gale Calhoon.
She is survived by her husband, Harley Schmitgen; sons: Monte (Barb) Johnson, Dustin (Renee) Johnson, and Tyler Johnson; step-daughters: Ranette (Bruce) Holmseth and Lori (Mark) Maher; step-sons: Bob (Merila) Schmitgen, Rick Schmitgen, and Jaime (Stephanie) Schmitgen; sister, Gloria Jordahl; brother, Bill (Teresa) Calhoon; sister-in-law, Darlene (Kermit) Dietrich; 18 grandkids, 21 great-grandkids, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life for Midge will be held Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Praise & Worship Lutheran Church, 9138 E. State Highway 76, Branson West, Missouri. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks.