Edmund A. Schmitt, 94, of Hawkeye, Iowa died Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Stoney Brook Village, West Union, Iowa. Edmund was born January 30, 1930 to Will J. and Anna (Kuennen) Schmitt in rural St. Lucas, Iowa. He attended St. Luke’s Catholic School through the eighth grade.
Edmund met his future bride, Norma Jean Mikota, at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville, Iowa. They were united in marriage at St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville, Iowa on November 14, 1956 and later blessed with two daughters: Sharon and Sheila. Edmund grew up farming and was no stranger to hard work. He then farmed near Hawkeye since 1956 and never completely retired. He did custom combining for over 50 years from 1968 until he could no longer climb into the combine. Edmund was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union, Iowa, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and Farm Bureau.
Spending time with his grandsons and great-grandchildren was Edmund’s greatest joy. He also loved Oliver tractors, watching old western movies, playing 500 and Euchre with his daughters, grandsons and great-grandchildren, listening to polka and country music and dancing the two-step. Edmund was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeye Football Team and Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams, and never missed watching a game.
Left to cherish Edmund’s memory are his wife of sixty-eight years, Norma Jean Schmitt of Stoney Brook Village, West Union, Iowa; his daughters, Sharon Schmitt of Decorah, Iowa and Sheila Soppe (Russ Weisskopf) of West Union, Iowa; two grandsons, Travis (Janelle) Soppe and Jeremy (Kim) Soppe, all of West Union, Iowa; six great-grandsons, Brock, Grant, Shane and Maverick Soppe and Carver and Calvin Soppe; five step-great-grandchildren, Jonah, Zaida, Elijah, Lila and Stella Moore: sister, Helen Noska of West Union, Iowa; brother, Gerald Schmitt of West Union, Iowa; brother-in-law, Edward J. Mikota of Ossian, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Edmund in death were his parents, Will J. and Anna Schmitt; parents-in-law, Edward L. and Lillian Mikota; sisters and their spouses, Adella (Leo) Langreck, Irma (Leonard) Bullerman, Lucy (Urban) Dietzenbach and Rita (in infancy); brothers and their spouses, Arthur (Agnes) Schmitt and Alex (Shirley) Schmitt; sisters-in-law, Rosetta Schmitt and Martha Mikota; and brother-in-law, Eugene Noska.
Words cannot express how deeply we appreciate all the love, kindness and support shown to us during this difficult time. It will always be remembered by the family of Edmund Schmitt.
A Visitation will be Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 2-5 pm with a Rosary at 1:30 pm at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home, West Union, Iowa and one hour before Mass at the church on Monday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union, Iowa with Rev. Ralph Davis as the Celebrant.
Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.