Raymond N. "Ray" Schmitt 1921-2008

DIESBURG, SCHMITT, JAEGER, NADERMANN, KEUTER, GRAVEL

Posted By: J. N. (email)
Date: 11/23/2008 at 13:19:59

Telegraph Herald
Dubuque, Iowa
Sunday, November 23, 2008

Raymond N. "Ray" Schmitt

DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- Raymond N. "Ray" Schmitt, 87, of 2141 332nd Ave, Dyersville, formerly of Holy Cross, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at his home surrounded by his family.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, with the Rev. Phillip Kruse officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Dyersville, where the rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.

He was born on Aug. 30, 1921, in Holy Cross, son of Frank and Frances (Diesburg) Schmitt. He grew up on the Schmitt farm and later farmed with his only brother, Willis and Darlene Schmitt, until moving to Dyersville. Ray loved raising horses with his father on the farm and farming the fields.

He married Irene Jaeger on Jan. 25, 1944, at St. Francis of Assisi in Balltown.

He worked at Jack Link Truck line and later at Theisen's in Dyersville, where he enjoyed meeting new people. Ray retired from Theisen's in 1989.

Surviving are his wife, Irene Schmitt, of Dyersville; two children, Shirley Nadermann and Leon (Shirley) Schmitt, both of Farley; eight grandchildren, Tricia (Jeff ) Kueter, of Asbury, Tammy, Tony and Terry Nadermann, all of Peosta, Sarah (Greg) Gravel, of Dubuque, Nicholas Schmitt, of Madison, N.J., Nathan (Jen) Schmitt, of Cascade, and Bill (fiance, Whitney Harrold) Schmitt, of New Vienna; two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Kueter and Kendra Schmitt.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Eldon Nadermann, on Nov. 15, 2004.

The family requests that memorials for Ray be given to Hospice of Dubuque and the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.

Irene and the family would like to thank all the staff at Hospice of Dubuque for all their help and care, especially, Edna and Sue. Thanks to all the neighbors, polka friends, and relations who stayed or visited, especially, Jane, Jean and Don Schmitt. Thanks also to Cookie Scherrman and Dr. Jeff Klein. God Bless.