Obituary of Donald Schmitt REV

Father Schmitt is survived by 3 brothers: Theodore of Decorah, Richard of Calmar, and Earl (Nell) of Johnston; 2 sisters: Gladys (Joseph) Oppold of Waterloo and Sylvia (George) Barloon of Ft. Atkinson; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, the Rev. Mr. Linus Schmitt of Calmar. Father Schmitt was born on September 5, 1936 in St. Lucas, Iowa the son of Agnes P. Blong and Chris J. Schmitt. He attended St. Luke's Elementary and Secondary Schools. He graduated from Loras College and completed his theological studies at Mt. St. Bernard Seminary, both in Dubuque. He received his Masters Degree in Counseling and Administration from Creighton University. He was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on March 17, 1962, at St. Raphael Cathedral in Dubuque by Auxiliary Bishop George J. Biskup. His first Mass was celebrated at St. Lucas on March 19, 1962. After ordination, he was named associate pastor at Visitation Parish in Stacyville, and St. Mel's in McIntire from 1962 - 1967. He also served on the faculty of Visitation High School in Stacyville, during this time. In 1967, he became the associate pastor at St. Mary's, Cascade and served as teacher/counselor at Aquin High School in Cascade. In 1968, he was appointed principal of St. John High School and associate pastor of John the Evangelist Parish, both in Independence. He was named administrator of St. Mary Parish, Hazelton, in addition to his role at the school, in 1969. In July 1974, Father Schmitt became principal of LaSalle High School in Cedar Rapids and in 1977 was named executive coordinator of the school as well. He remained at LaSalle until 1989. While at the school, he was administrator of Holy Trinity Parish, Walford from 1978 to 1980. In 1989, he became pastor of St. Athanasius Parish in Jesup and St. Francis Parish, Barclay. In 2002, he became pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Monticello until his death. He was an active priest for exactly 45 years. Friends may call from 2:30 - 8 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello where a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and a parish scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello, with Archbishop Jerome J. Hanus, OSB, presiding. Burial will be Tuesday afternoon in St. Luke's Catholic Cemetery in St. Lucas after a prayer service in St. Luke's Church at approximately 3:30 p.m. Memorials may be made according to the wishes of the donors. Due to the Lenten season, memorials are preferred to flowers.