Obituary of Anna Marie Schmitt

RICKARDSVILLE, IOWA

Anna Marie Schmitt, 98, of Dubuque, Iowa and formerly of Rickardsville, Iowa passed away Friday, April 28, 2017, at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation will be held 9 – 11:30 am Thursday, May 4, 2017, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon Thursday, May 4, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rickardsville, with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. Noah Diehm will officiate and Rev. John Chrzan will be the homilist and concelebrant.

Anna Marie Arlen was born in Farley, Iowa, on September 27, 1918, daughter of John and Anna Julia (Kofmehl) Arlen.  She married Raymond J. Schmitt on June 22, 1938, at Annunciation Church in Lattnerville, Iowa.  Marie and Raymond lived in Graf until 1943, when they purchased a farm in Rickardsville, Iowa, which became their home where they raised seven children.  Raymond passed away on June 15, 1992.  Anna Marie continued living on the farm until December 2014.

Marie, as friends and family knew her, lovingly cared for her husband, family, friends, farm, and garden. She could be spotted wearing the big straw hat while spending much of the warm weather tending to her garden and other fruit bushes and trees.  She spent countless hours raising poultry for the family use and to sell at the Dubuque Farmer’s Market, and delivering to individual homes.

Marie milked the farm’s dairy cows, fed animals or helped with field work, especially during harvest season. After spending many hours helping with the outside chores, she would have the table laden with special homemade dishes for dinner and supper.  Family and friends raved about her baked goods, especially her caramel rolls and fruit pies, as well as her fried chicken, which was a reunion’s favorite dish.  She spent many hours in the kitchen of her choice, often the small kitchen next to the milk house, before family reunions and silo filling crews.  Marie always had food and room for one or more at a meal, in her home, and in her heart.

In her later years, Marie volunteered many years at Albrecht Acres.  She worked in the kitchen and added her special touches for the campers.  She enjoyed relaxing with daytime soaps between working in her garden, mowing the lawn, and working around the farm. The multi colored buildings and yellow smiley face on the garage door gave her a sense of pride in her farm.  Attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities gave her much joy.  She enjoyed traveling by car, but especially taking plane trips.  She loved taking photographs and often had several cameras at her disposal to capture the moment.

Her family and faith were very important to her.

Survivors include her children: Donald R. Schmitt of Holy Cross, Sr. Donna Schmitt, OSF, of Grayslake, IL, Diana Schmitt of Palmetto, FL, Ann (Mike) Bergen of Cooper City, FL, Dr. Mary Ann (Kent) Sander of Platteville, WI, Michael (Michele) Schmitt of Rickardsville,

9 grandchildren: Charles, Lisa, Paul and Diana Bergen, Christopher (Morgan), Nicholas, Ryan, Zachary (fiancé Blair) and Alex Schmitt, 2 great grandchildren: Beau and Rae Schmitt; in-laws: Jean Schmitt of Durango, Clem Schmitt of Graff, and Leta Wagner of Dubuque.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, one son, Ronald Schmitt, her siblings: Charles Arlen, Clarence Arlen, Rita Breitbach and Eda Schultz.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Albrecht Acres or Stonehill Care Center in Marie’s name.

The family is deeply grateful to Stonehill Care Center for the care and concern given to Marie over the past two years, to hospice for its support, to Dr. Kirkendall and nurse Kate, and all the family and friends who spent time with Marie over the last few years.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.