Gerald Edward Schmitt

A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m, Wednesday, March 25th at the United Methodist Church in Graettinger. Burial is in Valley View Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Graettinger. Gerald Schmitt was born May 1, 1935 in the family farmhouse near Sac City, IA, the son of Edward and Lucille (Weaver) Schmitt. He attended Gillett Grove Schools, and he was a 1952 graduate of Gillett Grove High School. Gerald joined his parents in the Cylinder area where he helped his father with farming and met his wife to be, Yvonne. On June 19, 1955, Gerald was united in marriage to Yvonne Arbogast in the United Methodist Church at Fenton, IA. The couple farmed near Irvington, IA before moving to a farm northeast of Graettinger in 1971. They later moved to a farm west of Graettinger in 1978 where Gerald operated a welding shop; sold wood, Schweiss Equipment and concrete lawn ornaments. In 1980, he started Smitty's Corner Store in Graettinger, and in 1982, he began Smitty's Superior Store. Gerald and Yvonne moved to Graettinger in 1985. Four years later, they converted the old elevator office into what is now the Grae...[more]

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nger Drive-up. Gerald was a workaholic. He always kept busy, and during retirement he would deliver Winnebago RV's throughout the country to new buyers. He had a wood shop in his back yard where he always had a project. He made many clocks for his grandchildren, grandfather clocks, bird feeders and just about anything people asked him to make. More than anything, Gerald loved to spend time with his family. On Sunday, March 23, 2014, Gerald passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Yvonne, of Graettinger; six children: Roger Schmitt (Shelly) of Graettinger, IA, Dwight Schmitt (Mary) of Minot, ND, Janice Ritchie (Darwin) of Grand Junction, IA, Cindy Ariston (Carl) of Chicago, IL, Alan Schmitt (Julie) of Graettinger and Brian Schmitt (Mary) of Spencer; three brothers: Robert Schmitt (Shirley) and Richard Schmitt (Sandy) all of Chariton, IA and Donald Schmitt of Algona, IA; sister-in-law: Trudy Schmitt of Altoona, IA; 33 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.