Elmer Schmitt

Elmer H. "Bud" Schmitt, 74. a longtime resident of Marne, Iowa, passed away Monday, April 16, 2007, at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.

Elmer was born on June 17, 1932, in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of Glenn and Mabel (Anderson) Schmitt.

He grew up in Marne, Iowa and attended schools in Marne and Atlantic.

Elmer entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served for two years in the Korean War.

On February 12, 1955, Elmer married Shirley Mae McDermott of Anita, Iowa.

He worked for Cass County on the road maintenance crew in his early years. He also worked construction as well as owning and operating a gas station in Oakland, Iowa. For the remainder of his working career, he owned and operated his own dragline and trenching business. He pulled many telephone poles, cleaned many ponds and put in many water and drain lines for area farmers.

Elmer was a longtime member of the Marne Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Marne City Council for several terms.

Due to his Parkinson's Disease he retired and enjoyed drives with his wife to visit family and view the countryside. His remaining years were spent at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.

His survivors include his wife, Shirley of Marne, Iowa; his five children, Dr. Gregory Schmitt and his wife, Karen of Cumberland, Iowa and their children Megan Raulston and her husband Justin, Teri Vavricek and her husband, Brandon, Jedediah Schmitt and his wife, Marie, Marielle and Levi Schmitt; a daughter, Linda Olsen and her husband, Gary of Brayton, Iowa and their child, Chad Olsen; a son, Jeffery Schmitt and his wife, Lisa of Atlantic, Iowa, and their children, Amy Seufert and her husband, Mike and T.J. Schmitt; a daughter, Valerie Gifford and her husband, Doug of Atlantic, Iowa and their children, Libby and Nathan Gifford; and a son, Kent Schmitt and his wife, Linda of Atlantic, Iowa and their children, Brandi Brosam and her husband, Mike and their child, Christopher, and Dustin Schmitt. Also surviving are his great aunts, Lillian Schmitt and Viola Myers; five sisters, Violet Provo, Mary Ann McMurphy, Betty Brown, Della Harrah and Dorothy Peters; four brothers, Frank, John, Jesse and Joe Schmitt.

Elmer was preceded in death by his infant son, Brent; his parents, Glenn and Mabel Schmitt; a sister Olena Jensen; and two brothers, Lee and David Schmitt.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 20, 2007, at the First Church of Christ in Atlantic.

Visitation will begin on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Committal services and interment will be in the Brighton Township Cemetery in Marne, Iowa, with fellowship and lunch to follow in the church's fellowship hall.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.