SCHMIDT, James Michael 1942-2013

SCHMIDT, MEALY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/18/2013 at 22:36:41

James Michael Schmidt

DES MOINES, IOWA - James Michael Schmidt, 70, of Des Moines, formerly of Elma and Osage, was called to his heavenly home on Friday, March 15, 2013, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Elma with Pastor Timothy Phillips Officiating. Burial will be in Howard Cemetery at Elma.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 20, from 4-7 p.m. at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Condolences for Jim's family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com.

Jim was born on May 29, 1942 in Elma, Iowa, to Max and Eva Beth (Mealy) Schmidt. He was raised on his parent's farm and continued to work on the farm while attending Upper Iowa University. He graduated with degrees in biology and history. After college, Jim worked for H.L. Hunt, a large canning company in Storm Lake, as a field operating manager.

After two years, he moved on, working for Lundberg's Greenhouse in Osage. After a few years he bought a greenhouse operation in Harmony, Minn. Four years later, Jim sold the greenhouse in Harmony and purchased Lundberg's Greenhouse in Osage and renamed it Schmidt's Greenhouse.

Around 1980 he decided to change his career path and work in real estate, insurance and securities in and around Tipton and DeWitt. He spent his retirement years in Des Moines where he attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and was an active resident of Luther Park. Jim enjoyed farming, fishing, watching sports, crossword puzzles, attending his grandkid's activities, baking, helping others and spending time with his family and friends.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his children and their spouses Kevin (Kelly) Schmidt, of Gahanna, Ohio, Marla (Steve) Dostal of Pleasant Hill, Nathan (Deb) Schmidt of Altoona, and Rochell (Alan) Heimdal of Forest City, seven grandchildren Kelani and Quinn Dostal, Paige, Morgan, and Maggie Schmidt, Nathaniel, and Joel Schmidt; brothers Max (Georgia) Schmidt of Elma, Daryl Schmidt of New Hampton, and Mark (Karen) Schmidt of Princeton, Ill.; sisters Mary Schmidt of Elma, Alice Schmidt of Marion, and Rhonda Sands of Dallas, Texas as well as many nephews, nieces and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Edward.

Mitchell County Press, March 18, 2013