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Dorothy M. Schmidt

1920 - 2008

 

Dorothy Schmidt

Meservey - Dorothy Schmidt, 87, of Des Moines, formerly of Meservey, died Saturday (Feb. 23, 2008) at Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Reformed Church in Meservey with Rev. Rodney Meester presiding. Interment will follow at Meservey Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. today at Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, 201 Ohio St., Meservey. In Lieu of flowers her family requests memorials to Opportunity Village in her memory.

Dorothy M. Schmidt was born Nov. 26, 1920, at home in Anamosa, Iowa, a daughter of Dean and Addie (Campbell) Perdue. Her Family moved many times during her youth and she graduated from Rockwell High School. She then attended Mason City Junior College and earned her teaching certificate. She began teaching in Meservey in 1940.

On Aug. 21, 1942, Dorothy was united in marriage with Ralph D. Schmidt at Memphis, Mo. Dorothy continued to teach and after a few years devoted her life to raising her children. Dorothy returned to teaching at CAL School and the began teaching at the Klemme School. She returned to college to earn her bachelor's degree and is a proud alumnus of Drake University. Dorothy taught at Klemme for 21 years before retiring; she continued to tutor students during the summers.

Ralph passed away in 1987. Dorothy continued to live in Meservey and traveled with her sister-in-law Francis Groen on many bus trips. In 1999 she moved to an apartment in Des Moines.

Dorothy was a member of First Reformed Church in Meservey. Her family remembers her for her strong faith. She played the violin and was an avid fan of all sports, especially her alma mater Drake University.

Left to remember her are her son, James Jay Schmidt, Clear Lake; daughter, Rebecca (J.C.) Chalberg, Wheeling, Ill.; son Steven J (Mary) Schmidt, Norwalk; grandchildren, Lacey and Dylan Schmidt and John (Paige) Gourley and Matt Gourley; brother-in-law, Charles 'Bud' Burgess; sisters-in-law, Bernice Perdue, Arlene Kaldenberg, Loraine Bertilson and Francis Groen; many nieces, nephews and the "Grandcats."

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; brothers, David and Daniel; and sister, Delores "Jo" Burgess.

Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Meservey, Iowa. 641-358-6105.


source: Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, 27 Feb 2008, page A8, column 5

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