Schmidt, LuVois W. 1927-2009

SCHMIDT, FRERICHS, MAIROSE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/6/2009 at 11:37:27

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, January 6, 2009

LuVois W. "Smitty" Schmidt, 81, of Le Mars, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

LuVois "Smitty" Schmidt was born Jan. 30, 1927, at Chatsworth, the son of William and Pearl (Frerichs) Schmidt. He was baptized at St. Mathew's Lutheran Church, Chatsworth. LuVois was later confirmed by the Rev. L.L. Belk at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. He attended country school near Akron, and Le Mars Central High School. He farmed with his father near Le Mars for several years. In 1943, Smitty began his 40-year career with Swift & Company in Sioux City until his retirement in 1983.

LuVois was united in marriage to Mary Ann Mairose Jan. 14, 1950, at St. John's Lutheran Church, in Le Mars by the Rev. L.L. Belk. To this union, two children were born, Mike and Karen.

Smitty was a kind, gentle, and gifted man. He had designed and built three homes in Le Mars complete with cabinets and decorative furniture. He enjoyed woodworking in his spare time creating many unique wooden creations. LuVois was active with church, volunteering his talents at the church with fixing and creating wooden features and decorating for holidays.

LuVois and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada. They have traveled to all 50 states. Through their travels, they enjoyed visiting historical attractions, state parks, and several blue grass festivals. LuVois and Mary Ann also enjoyed ballroom and square dancing, having attended several state and national square dancing conventions.

LuVois enjoyed gardening, landscaping and sharing his garden produce with family and friends. His greatest joy in life was his family.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Schmidt of Le Mars; two children, a son Mike Schmidt and his wife Connie of Dakota Dunes, S.D., and their children, Joshua Schmidt of Los Angeles, Calif., Corey Schmidt and his wife Amy of Ames, and Lindsey Spieker and her husband Jeremy of Nevada, Iowa, a daughter, Karen Schnepf and her husband Ken of Omaha, Neb., and their children, Matt Schnepf and his wife Munawer Ahmed of New York City, N.Y., Christa Cottam and her husband Steve and their daughter Maggie Leigh Cottam of Omaha, Neb., and Ellie Steinbrink and her husband Matt of Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, LaDonna Poulos of Derby, Kan., and Joyce Langel and her husband Marvin of Le Mars; in-laws, Phyllis Schmidt of Le Mars, Dan Mairose and his wife Erma of Le Mars and Jane Dalton and her husband Don of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Pearl (Frerichs) Schmidt; a brother, Marlowe Schmidt; and a brother-in-law, John Poulos.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with Rev. Greg Gabriel, St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be after 4 p.m. today (Tuesday) followed by a 6:30 p.m. prayer service all at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Schmidt, Matt Schnepf, Steve Cottam, Corey Schmidt, Matt Steinbrink, Jeremy Spieker, Todd Poulos, and Dave Langel. Honorary pallbearers will be Christa Cottam, Ellie Steinbrink, Lindsey Spieker, Munawer Ahmed Schnepf, and Amy Schmidt.