Daniel M Schmitt

Daniel Matthew Schmitt was born on February 23, 1930 in Tipton, Kansas to Mathias and Leona (Beck) Schmitt. He grew up and attended school in Tipton, graduating from Tipton High School in 1948. After his graduation, Dan moved to Ames and attended school at Iowa State University, studying Agriculture. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force and made Airman second-class as well as a member of the Iowa National Guard and served our nation as a carpenter. Dan married Lu Ellen Stoaks on September 30, 1954 in Marshalltown. The two welcomed eight beloved children into their lives and both worked hard to provide for them. Dan’s entire life revolved around his family and his true passion: farming, in rural Marshalltown, raising livestock and row crops. Dan decided to retire from farming but that didn’t stop him from continuing to be extremely active in the farming community. Dan enjoyed continuously learning about different cow breeds, talking to others about his political beliefs, and, once the season arrived, eating plum bread. He was also a member of St. Henry Catholic Church.  Daniel Matthew Schmitt died on September 18, 2018 at the Iowa River Hospice Home at the age of 88 from cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 21, 2018 at St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown at 10:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Iowa River Hospice Home. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit: www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Daniel and his family. Daniel is preceded in death by his parents; one brother: John ‘Jack’ Schmitt; and two sisters: Helen Malatek and Dorothy Kaiser. Dan is survived by his wife of over 60 years; his five daughters: Mary (David) Dickinson of Logan, Becky (Roger) Peterson of Marshalltown, Tina (Peter) Loyd of West Des Moines, Lisa (Bruce) Lynk of Marshalltown, and Holly (Hank) Raibikis of Des Moines; three sons: Tom (Mary) Schmitt of Liscomb, David Schmitt of Marshalltown, and Mark (Nelia) Schmitt of O’Fallon, Illinois. Also left to cherish his memory is his sister: Margie (John) Ley of Ankeny; his sister-in-law Elizabeth Schmitt of St. Louis, Missouri; 21 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.