Lawrence Schmitt, 84

RICEVILLE - Lawrence J. Schmitt, age 84, of Riceville, Iowa, died on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at home surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 18, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Fr. Telesphore Dusabe officiating.  Lawrence was laid to rest in the Calvary Cemetery Elma, Iowa. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Lawrence Joseph Schmitt was born on November 4, 1939, son of Ben and Ida (Hageman) Schmitt in Decorah, Iowa.  Lawrence attended St. John's Catholic School and graduated from Ft. Atkinson High School.  After graduation, Lawrence enlisted into the United States Army and honorably served for 3 years.  During part of his enlisted time, Lawrence was stationed in Germany with the military police.  After his honorable discharge from the Army, he moved back home and began working for Wiest Mill, Reilly Brothers Construction, and John Deere.

On June 10, 1972, Lawrence was united in marriage to Dorothy Meier at Assumption Catholic Church in Cresco, IA.  Lawrence and Dorothy lived on a farm north of Calmar until 1976.  At that time, they purchased a farm east of Riceville where they have lived for the past 48 years and raised their 4 sons.  Lawrence worked for Featherlite for a brief time after getting out of the hog raising business.  Farming would always be part of Lawrence.  Throughout the years, you would find him walking through the fields checking on his crops.    

Lawrence enjoyed the simple rural life of going to farm sales, visiting with people, and attending tractor pulls.  He liked to watch football, basketball, and Western and War movies.  Lawrence could always be found attending different activities when his boys were in school.  He looked forward to cheering on his grandchildren and attending their birthday parties.  Lawrence was hard working but always found time to squeeze in family vacation in between hay making and oats combining.  He loved making those memories with his family.  Lawrence and Dorothy enjoyed traveling together too.  They took bus trips out east to Washington D.C., New York City, Virginia Beach, New Orleans, and Nashville. 

Lawrence is survived by his wife Dorothy Schmitt of Riceville, IA; 4 sons Joe (Nicci) Schmitt of Ankeny, IA, Christopher (Amanda Long) Schmitt of Belmond, IA, Thomas (Katie) Schmitt of Elma, IA, and Stephen (Courtney) Schmitt of Austin, MN; 8 grandchildren Mycah, Alexis, Madelynn, Matthew, Millie, Anne, Harriet, and Charlotte; brothers LaVern Schmitt of Cresco, IA, and Don (Gloria) Schmitt of Ft. Atkinson, IA; and sister Darlene Bruess of West Union, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wilbert Schmitt and Fidelis (Pearl) Schmitt, sister Serena (Adrian) Timp, sister-in-law Janice Schmitt, and brother-in-law DeWayne Bruess.