Donald John Schmidt

Donald John Schmidt, born on December 31, 1943, in Bellevue, Iowa, to Ronald and Valeta (Heiar) Schmidt, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Harmony Utica Ridge, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and community spirit.

Donald married the love of his life, Rita Huilman, on August 27, 1966, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Delmar, Iowa. In 1972, they moved to DeWitt, where they were blessed with four sons: Jeffrey, Andrew, Anthony, and Daniel. Donald was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

From a young age, Donald worked on his father's farm, planting and harvesting crops and milking Holstein dairy cows while attending high school and working jobs off the farm. His passion for farming extended into his professional life when he joined the C&J Farm Service team in 1969 as a petroleum truck salesman. For 31 years, he served the farming community in the Eastern Clinton County Area, earning the respect and admiration of his peers. His commitment to his job and his goals, along with his gift of gab and love for neighbors, led to numerous achievements, including winning twelve sales trips to destinations like Mexico City and Cancun. He was honored with the Magnificent Seven Award twice, recognizing him as one of the top seven salesmen in the Growmark region.

Farming was always in Donald's soul, leading him to raise purebred milking Nubian dairy goats, which he showed in the Tristate area. He raised many Grand Champions and realized his dream when he won the Best Doe in Show at the Iowa State Fair in 1981.

In his retirement, Donald's love for gardening flourished. Along with his wife, he maintained two large gardens and spent his spare time canning the fruits and vegetables they grew. They generously donated baskets of canned goods to benefits and the church festival, embodying their spirit of giving and community involvement. He also enjoyed fixing up vehicles for sale.

Donald John Schmidt will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his passion for farming, and his commitment to his community. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife Rita and four sons: Jeffrey (Jodi) of Orange Park, FL; Andrew (Melanie) of Des Moines, IA; Anthony (Christina) of Clinton, MO; Daniel (Natasha) of Des Moines, IA and thirteen grandchildren: Jacob and Logan, Raegan, Cole and Rylee, Christin, Caitlyn, Courtney, Clayton and Cayson, Kolby and Ember and Aley (Josh) Holman; and two great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter; Connor, Christian and Cassidy Holman. He is also survived by his sisters, Marjorie (Walter) Scott-Craig, Davenport, IA, Judy (Wes) Bare, Spokane, WA, Linda (Dave) Schachterle, Cedar Falls, IA, Denise (Steve) Twohig, Boise, ID. And survived by his brother-in-law Loras (Sara) Huilman, and sisters-in-law Linda (Robert) Pucket, Lucinda Jorgensen and Helen Wood and several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2025, at Schultz Funeral Home in DeWitt, with a Rosary at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home. The Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeWitt. Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Delmar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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