SCHMITT, Kenneth Edward 1945-2016

SCHMITT, FREIDHOF, GABEL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/12/2016 at 13:04:40

Kenneth "Ken" Schmitt

Birth: October 12, 1945
Death: June 10, 2016

Service: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 2:30 pm
St. Mary Catholic Church at Roseville

Kenneth Schmitt, 70, of Charles City, was called to his Heavenly Home on Friday, June 10, 2016 after a long battle suffering three strokes (November 28, 2011, July 20, 2012, and January 26, 2013). He entered Cedar Health on February 8, 2013.

A funeral Mass for Ken Schmitt will be held 2:30 P.M. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Roseville with Monsignor Brunken celebrating the Mass. Burial will be at Roseville Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be held at Saint Mary Social Hall in Roseville from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2016 and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Wednesday. There will be a 7:00 p.m. Scripture Service followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary.

Kenneth Edward Schmitt was born October 12, 1945, at Charles City, Iowa, the son of Louis and Edith (Freidhof) Schmitt. He graduated from Rockford Senior High School in 1963 and continued his life-long love of farming. He served with the United States Army during the Vietnam Era and was stationed in Thailand for one year. On August 13, 2015, while he was a patient at the Cedar Health Care Center, members of the Operation LZ: Welcome Home Vietnam Vets presented Ken with a commemorative medallion. This was a very moving and emotional time for Ken and his family.

On August 8, 1970 he married Frances (Fran) Gabel at the Holy Name Catholic Church, in Rockford, Iowa. To this union one daughter, Brenda, was born. The couple lived on farms near Rockford until moving to Charles City December 4, 2004. After his retirement he spent many hours playing cards at 'coffee' and in euchre tournaments. Ken was an avid John Deere memorabilia collector. He was very proud to show off his collection to whoever was interested.

Ken loved farming, especially working with cattle. He was honored in 2005 with the Floyd County Cattleman of the Year Award. In addition to this organization, Ken was also a former board member of the Floyd County Corn Growers Association, and the Floyd County Extension. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion where he held officer positions and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

Ken was a lifelong member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Roseville, attending grade school there and graduating from the eighth grade in the spring of 1959. He was very active in his parish serving on the Parish Council, helping at many events, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and usher.

Living family members include his wife, Fran of Charles City; daughter, Brenda of Charles City; siblings: Robert (Patricia) Schmitt of rural Rockford, Gerald (Linda) Schmitt of rural Rockford, Kathy (Tom) Curl of rural Ionia, and Tim (Teresa) Schmitt of Greene; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a very special family: Jennifer, Jon, Zach, Kaitlynn and baby Scarlett, Morgan, Mckenzie (Andy and Will Kasner), Kennedy, Logan, Nick, Camdyn, and Graeson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Source: Hauser Funeral home website