Gene Schmidt

Gene Leroy Schmidt, 83, was born June 4, 1928, the only child of Walter and Anna (Hoffrogge) Schmidt in Massena, Iowa, and passed away Monday, October 3, 2011, at his home in Anita, Iowa.

Gene was born and raised in Massena. He attended Massena high school graduating with the class of 1945. Gene farmed with his parents after high school until being drafted into active duty to the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Massena and on June 14, 1953, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Brown.

He and Liz farmed in the Massena and Anita area until they retired from farming in 1963. At that time they moved to Adair and Gene began working as a carpenter. In 1990 Gene and Liz moved to Anita. Gene had a love and passion for working with wood and even though he retired from carpentry in 1994 he never stopped being a carpenter.

Gene has always been a member of a church and most recently a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Adair, Iowa. He was a member of the Anita American Legion and VFW.

He loved to attend his high school class reunions and greatly valued the relationships he built during his time served in the United States Army. His passions with woodworking lead him to be a mentor for his grandson Tyler, who will finish his recent projects. Gene loved to fiddle around on the farm and enjoyed hunting. His most precious time was spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchild.

He is survived by his wife, Liz of Anita, IA; his children, Rod (Jo) Schmidt of Waukee, IA, Kevin (Lori) Schmidt of Des Moines, IA, Greg (Diane) Schmidt of Des Moines, IA and Keri (Gene) Lehman of Van Meter, IA; his grandchildren, Jake (Rachel) Schmidt of Rochester, MN, Theresa (Troy) Thornton of West Des Moines, IA, SP-4 Eric Schmidt of Fort Bragg, NC, Dustin Schmidt of Des Moines, IA, SP-4 Ethan Schmidt of Fort Campbell, KY, Nicholas Schmidt of Des Moines, IA, Brett Schmidt of Boone, IA, Alicia Schmidt of Perry, IA, Aaron Knapp of Des Moines, IA, Alex (Amber) Knapp of West Des Moines, IA, Dallas Lehman of Altoona, IA and Tyler and Amy Lehman both of Van Meter, IA; his great-granddaughter, Sophie Schmidt of Rochester, MN; his sisters-in-law, Lloydene Cadwell of Van Meter, IA and Mary (Mark) Austin of Des Moines, IA; brother-in-law, Ronald Brown of Apache Junction, AZ; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Anna Schmidt; his brother-in-law, Harold Cadwell; and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Gourd.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa.

Visitation with family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa.

A private burial of cremated remains will be held at a later date in the Massena Center Cemetery in Massena, Iowa.