Minna Schmeling

Minna (Minnie) Schmeling was born August 26, 1926, in Rothges, Germany, the daughter of Karl and Minna Albert Nathes, and passed away Friday, August 12, 2011, at her residence in Atlantic, Iowa.

Minnie was baptized September 12, 1926, and confirmed March 25, 1940, in Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Marienftifstirche, Zu Lich, Germany. She attended school in Lich, Germany. At the age of 14 she worked on a farm. Following that she worked in a Women's Clinic, and did housekeeping in the operating room in the hospital in Giessen, Germany. She also worked in the United States Army Hospital in Giessen.

She met Gib Schmeling in Lich, where he was stationed in 1946. On October 13, 1948, they were united in marriage at St. Marienftifstirche, in Lich, Germany. She came to the United States in December 1948 on the ship Alexandra. They lived in Casey from 1948 to 1956 when they moved to Atlantic and resided there ever since.

She was a longtime member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic where she was a member of the Circle. She enjoyed visiting Germany and attending her grandchildren's sports events.

Survivors include one son, Eugene and his wife, Julie of Atlantic; two grandchildren, Tiffany Schmeling and her fiancé, Jeff Wickham of Ankeny, IA and Thomas Schmeling and his girlfriend, Sharla Schlake of Webster City, Iowa; one brother, Karl Nathes and wife, Inge of Lich, Germany; one sister, Anna (Annie) Lane of Dixon, IL; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Preceding Minnie in death were her parents; her husband, Gilbert in 1999; one brother, Eugen Nathes who died in WWII; sisters, Marie Ilk, Augusta Mahr and Elisabeth Peter and her husband Heinrich.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2011, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.