Willis D. Schmidt

Willis D. Schmidt, 83, of 705 8th Ave., Charles City died Wednesday afternoon, August 19, 2009 at Floyd County Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, August 22, 2009 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St., Charles City. Officiating will be the Rev. Dennis Niezwaag. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 pm Friday at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt, Charles City and again one hour prior to services at the church. Interment with full military honors will be at Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to make memorial contributions to Willis D. Schmidt. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com

Willis was born on September 20, 1925 near Nashua in Chickasaw County the son of Otto R. and Bertha Ida (Ferch) Schmidt. He graduated from the rural school system. Prior to his military service he met his future wife while both were actors in a play. They also enjoyed roller-skating. On June 22, 1944 he was united in marriage to Helen Litterer and they were married in the home of Helen’s parents. To this union were born four children. Willis was also baptized and confirmed at the Nashua United Church of Christ in Nashua. He served his country in the Army from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1947. He served in Germany. Upon his return, he and Helen lived all their married lives in Charles City where he was an Inspector for White Farm for 35 years. Willis enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers. They played card games of all types and camping. Helen and Willis attended Blue Grass Festivals, traveling and spending time with the family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Willis enjoyed going up North for fishing trips and was known as a practical joker. Willis was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, a life member of Post 3914 of the VFW, the senior center and 1315 of the UAW union.

Those thankful in sharing Willis’s life include his wife Helen of 65 years, two daughters Beverly and her husband Elmer Reints, Shellrock, IA; Gloria and her husband Jack Hulbert, Charles City, one son Gary and his wife Cathy Schmidt, Marble Rock, seven grandchildren and 14, great grandchildren along with eight sister-in-laws Dorothy, Judith, Margaret, and Lois Schmidt and Leona Howe, Dorothy Schmidt, and Ruby (Bob) Obermier and Tilleen Litterer.

His parents, an infant son Bryan, two sisters Lucille Roth, Glendora “Curly” Ouderkerk, seven brothers Lloyd, Lawrence, Melvin, Harlan, Otto Jr., Clarence, and Raymond, along with brother-in-laws Clarence Litterer and Alton Howe preceded Willis in death.

Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt, Charles City, Iowa 50616 641-228-4211 www.fullertonfh.com