Colby SCHMIDTKE

SCHMIDTKE, MCMURRAY, RIDDER, GRANEY, KRALING, MULLER, GARRETT, NELSON

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 3/9/2011 at 07:16:39

Obituary - Colby Schmidtke

WCF Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
Friday, October 29, 2010
by Deb Nicklay of Courier News Service

Mason City Teen Trapped in Overturned Car
In River Has Died

MASON CITY, Iowa - Mason City youth gathered to pray and comfort one another on Thursday as they continued to struggle with a week of tragedy.

Many of them received word later in the evening that another classmate, Colby SCHMIDTKE, 16, had died Thursday as the result of a car accident.

Dustin McMURRAY, 17, was driving a car which went off Birch Drive Wednesday afternoon. The car flipped over as it traveled down an embankment and landed on its roof in the Winnebago River.

McMURRAY and passenger SCHMIDTKE were trapped. Tyler RIDDER, 16, was injured but managed to escape the partially-submerged vehicle.

Word of SCHMIDTKE'S death was received Thursday night from Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City, where arrangements are pending.

The young men were being treated at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

The hospital is not releasing any information about McMURRAY and RIDDER at the request of their parents.

Mason City Police Lt. Ron VANDE WEERD said Thursday afternoon that there was nothing new to report in the investigation.

A week of questioning and confusion for high school students began on Saturday, Oct. 24, when 16-year-old Zach GRANEY died from unknown causes.

Tests are still being conducted to determine a cause of death after an autopsy failed to show anything unusual.

Classmates, said one of the senior class leaders, "are searching for answers."

Molly KRALING, 17, a senior at MCHS, added that some students, although not associated with a church, were "praying for the first time," she said.

Another student, Mackenzie MULLER, 17, said lots of people were looking out for students - including fellow students.

"It's been eye-opening; everyone coming together, as a school, to cope with this," she said, adding that a before-school prayer gathering on Thursday morning drew 150 in the high school gymnasium commons.

First Covenant Church leaders offered the space for prayer and contemplation. Several dozen attended.

Youth Pastor Marty GARRETT assured the youth that prayer would help and wished "comfort, rest and peace" for those dealing with the tragedies.

"Sustain us, Lord," prayed GARRETT. "We ask for your comfort now ... and your power in the community."

MULLER also led the crowd in prayer.

"We came to this place believing in your healing power," she said, adding that the events of the week presented "a massive struggle" for many.

"We cannot comprehend, but you can, Lord. We don't know where else to turn, so we turn to you."

Pastor Kristen NELSON, who heads up youth and children programming at the church, was glad to see the youth come.

"We wanted students to feel they had choices ... and the church is a place where we can provide hope and peace; a place where kids would know they were loved."

NELSON and other pastors from Covenant, as well as those from the community, have provided counseling to students. They have witnessed "every level of grief" from students and teachers.

She said caring adults and families should provide their students with "a listening ear" as youth try to cope with realities that are, at times, just too hard.

Sometimes that comfort can come from other students, too.

"It has been hard," MULLER said. "But I really feel God is calling us to be missionaries to our school. We're all Mohawks. We care for each other."

~ ~ ~ ~
kimt ~ October 29, 2010

Honoring Colby Schmidtke

MASON CITY, IA - Friends and family are remembering the life of 16-year old Colby SCHMIDTKE. He was a passenger in a car that rolled into the Winnebago River on Wednesday. Friday night, those closest to him gathered at the site of the Mason City crash. They're remembering him with a flashlight vigil. Dozens of students and parents walked to the crash site to remember Colby. It's with tears, flowers and memories these teens are saying goodbye to a friend and loved one.

His cousin Faith SCHMIDTKE says, "He always tried to scare me and his little sister whenever I go over there. When we went to Grandma's, he'd always win at poker."

Friends Ashley and Taylor remember Colby, as well. "He was just so caring and nice."

"He loved so many people and a lot of people loved him."

SCHMIDTKE'S visitation is Sunday from 3:00-7:00 at Major Erickson Funeral Home. The funeral service is Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City.

SOURCE: 3kimt.com

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2011