Schmitt, Rita Marie (Kuhn) -- 1923 - 2009

SCHMITT, KUHN, SHINDELAR, BLONG, DIETZENBACH, ELSBERND, NEUZIL, BECKER, WHEELER, BENTZ, SCHISSEL, DOUCET, RILLING, SCHAEFER, BUSTA

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/15/2012 at 17:08:58

Rita Schmitt, age 86, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, died on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 21, 2009, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday evening and from 8:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a scripture service at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night.

Rita Marie (Kuhn) Schmitt was born on October 2, 1923, the daughter of Albert and Barbara (Shindelar) Kuhn, near Calmar, Iowa. She was the second of seven children. She attended St. Aloysius Catholic Church and School in Calmar. She graduated from Calmar High School in 1941. Rita married John E. Schmitt on October 26, 1943, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar. He was the son of Peter T. and Mary (Blong) Schmitt. Together they farmed one mile southwest of Fort Atkinson for forty-three years, until they retired and moved into Fort Atkinson. Their son Carl and his family now operate the farm. Rita was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church; where she was an active member of the choir, helping with the directing and organ playing. She was a religious education teacher for 20 years, was in the lay ministry program and had served as Parish Guild president. She was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters, the Catholic Daughters of America and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was known for her deep faith and the thousands of rosaries she had made.

Rita’s survivors include her nine children: David (Margaret) Schmitt, Zionsville, IN; Mary (Ken) Dietzenbach, Waucoma, IA; Mike (Diane) Schmitt, Cresco, IA; Tom (Sandi) Schmitt, Winchester, VA; Paul (Bette) Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA; Peter (Susan) Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA; Carl (Terry) Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA; Ann (Gene) Elsbernd, Fort Atkinson, IA; and Jeanne (Larry) Neuzil, Spillville, IA, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jeff & Francis Schmitt, children: Ericka, Carter, Adam, Kathy & Kyle; John & Christine Schmitt, children: Alex, Anastasia & Allyson; Sheryl & Michael Becker; Tom, Michael & Karen Dietzenbach; Scott & Emily Schmitt, children: Hannah & Paige; Greg & Stacy Schmitt, children: Claire & Grace; Kimberly & Kristi Schmitt; Brian & Lynn Schmitt, children: Austin, Amanda & Eric; Laura Schmitt; Amanda & Brent Smith, child, Carter; Alissa & Travis Schissel; Todd, Sarah & Megan Schmitt; Willie & Brittany Schmitt; Andy, Ben, John, Amy & Troy Schmitt; Mariah & Jessica Schmitt; Lucas & Greta Elsbernd; Lynette & Tyler Wheeler, child: Isaiah; Melinda, Bethany, Molly & Emily Elsbernd. One sister: Therese Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA. Two brothers: Anthony (Colette) Kuhn, Cresco, IA and Jerome (Carlene) Kuhn, New Hampton, IA. Four sisters-in-law: Anna Mae Kuhn, Calmar, IA; Cordula Doucet, Caledonia, MN; and Rose (Merlin) Rilling, Fort Atkinson, IA and Madonna Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, IA. Two brothers-in-law: Jim Bentz, Dubuque, IA and Wilfred Dietzenbach, New Hampton, IA, along with many nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents: Albert and Barbara Kuhn. Her husband: John on June 24, 1987. Two brothers: Ray Kuhn in 1997 and Brother Sebastian Kuhn in 2009. One sister: Margaret Mary Bentz in 2004. Three brothers-in-law: Alfred Schmitt, Roman Schmitt and Joe Doucet. Three sisters-in-law: Theola (Jim) Schaefer, Leona Dietzenbach and Coletta (Jacob) Busta.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. John’s Catholic cemetery
 

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