In Memory of Donald "Don" E. Schmidt

Donald “Don” E. Schmidt, age 88, of Holstein, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024, at Gracewell, An Eventide Community in Denison, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Holstein United Methodist Church of Holstein, Iowa. Pastor Betty Kiboko will officiate. Interment will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Military Rites will be conducted by the Dessel-Schmidt Post No. 225 of the American Legion of Holstein, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Holstein United Methodist Church of Holstein, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Donald Eugene Schmidt, the son of Mary (Boysen) and Alfred Schmidt, Sr., was born on October 4, 1935, in Ida Grove, Iowa. He received his education from Ida Grove High School, graduating with the class of 1953. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Japan and El Paso, Texas. He was a loyal patriot and was proud to have served our country. 

Upon his honorable discharge from the service in 1956, he returned to Ida Grove and began a lifelong career of farming. On December 9, 1956, Donald was united in marriage to the love of his life, Darlene Prosch, at the Ida Grove Methodist Church. The couple was blessed with three wonderful children: Doug, Dana, and Dawn.

In addition to serving our country, Don served as a Logan Township trustee, was a member of Alpine Masonic Lodge #471 of Holstein, and served on the 4-H Ida County Council alongside his wife. He was also an active member of the United Methodist Church in Holstein where he volunteered his time to teach Sunday School, represent the church as a lay delegate to the annual conference, and preside on several committees including the board of trustees, administrative council, finance committee, and SPPRC. Don instilled in us the value of service to others, hard work, and always doing what’s right. 

Through his actions, Don taught the importance of enjoying each day. He loved gardening, reading, and cheering for his beloved sports teams: the Iowa State Cyclones and Minnesota Vikings. Don never passed up an opportunity for adventure. In fact, he spent his 80th birthday skydiving with several of his children and grandchildren! He was known for his playful demeanor and ever-present smile. Everyone had fun and felt loved in his presence. At weddings, he could be found tearing up the dance floor to “Rock Around the Clock” and slow dancing with Darlene, his sweetheart of 67 years. 

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Darlene Schmidt of Holstein, IA; children Doug

(Julie) Schmidt of Denison, IA, Dana (Kevin) Apel of New Braunfels, TX and Dawn Schmidt of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren Calisa (Sam) Stark of Universal City, TX, Ashton Schmidt of Los Angeles, CA, Cara (Austin) Wozniak of Needville, TX, Kylie (Ryan) Nelson of Indianola, IA; and Michala (Tyler) Covington of San Marcos, TX, and great-grandchildren Piper and Devin Stark, Carter and Cooper Wozniak, Cecil and Juniper Nelson; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Alfred Schmidt, Sr.; siblings Alfred “Bud” (Vernette) Schmidt, Jr., DeWayne Schmidt, Earl Dean (Ruth) Schmidt, Arlene (Lloyd) Babcock, and Roger (Carol) Schmidt; in-laws William and Alma Prosch; brothers-in-laws Dale (Creta) Prosch and Donald Prosch.