Arthur Schmitt
Arthur “Art” Schmitt, age 87, of Traditions in West Union, IA, formerly of St. Lucas, IA, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at Palmer Lutheran Health CenterHospital, in West Union, IA.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Nick March at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 28, at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas.
Interment was in the church cemetery. Casket bearers were Art’s grandchildren Brian Pahl, Jessica Frantzen, Heather Zajicek, Stacy Engelhardt, Jolene Schaefer, Christopher “Bud” Winter, Nikki Riha, and James Frantzen.
Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.
Arthur Frank Schmitt was born April 26, 1928, to William and Anna (Kuennen) Schmitt on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA.
Arthur attended St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas.
On Nov. 27, 1950, Art was united in marriage to Agnes Riha at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, IA. To this union, four daughters were born, Terri, Marie, Irene and Wilma.
Art and Agnes farmed together southeast of St. Lucas area for many years. In 2005, Art retired from farming.
In 2008, they moved to St. Lucas. Arthur has been living at Traditions in West Union since 2012.
Arthur enjoyed his life on the farm and always made sure he provided for his family.
He enjoyed watching westerns, dancing, listening to polka music, playing cards, trips to Las Vegas and many other travels with his wife and numerous family and friends.
Art was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Art is survived by his wife: Agnes Schmitt, West Union, IA. Four daughters: Terri (Cal) Drew, Decorah, IA; Marie (Chuck) Riha, Fort Atkinson, IA; Irene (Tom) Frantzen, Alta Vista, IA; and Wilma (Robert) Meyer, St. Lucas, IA. Eight grandchildren: Brian Pahl, Stacy (Rob) Engelhardt, Nikki (fiancé Zach Njus) Riha, Jessica (Michelle) Frantzen, Jolene (TJ) Schaefer, James (Amanda Luna) Frantzen, Heather (D.J.) Zajicek, and Christopher “Bud” (Ashley) Winter. Nine great-grandchildren: Hannah and Jordan Pahl, Lexie and Marissa Engelhardt, Beckett Frantzen, Jackie and Jocelyn Schaefer, Reece Meitner-Luna and Zoey Zajicek. Two sisters: Lucy (Urban) Dietzenbach, Cresco, IA, and Helen Noska, West Union, IA. Three brothers: Edmund (Norma) Schmitt, West Union, IA; Alex (Shirley) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA; and Gerald (Rosetta) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Anna Cook, Mabel, MN, and Marcie Schneberger, Fort Atkinson, IA. One brother-in-law: Donald Riha, Fort Atkinson, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Art was preceded in death by his parents: William and Anna (Kuennen) Schmitt. Three sisters and their husbands: Rita in infancy, Della (Leo) Langreck and Irma (Leonard) Bullerman. Three brothers-in-law: Gene Noska, Orval Cook and Leroy Schneberger. Two sisters-in-law: Rosie Riha and Martha Riha in infancy. His father-in-law and mother-in-law: Martin and Stella (Novotny) Riha. 13u13