Donald R. Schmitt

HOLY CROSS, IOWA

Donald R. Schmitt, 88, of Holy Cross, Iowa passed away November 21, 2025, at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Holy Cross where a military service will commence at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home from 9 – 10 a.m. prior to the funeral mass.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Holy Cross with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post #656. Rev. Tyler Raymond will officiate.

Don was born April 22, 1937, in Holy Cross, Iowa, the son of Charles “Chas” and Bertha (Meyer) Schmitt. He graduated from Holy Cross Catholic High School and Loras College in Dubuque. On November 26, 1960, he married Janet Decker from Balltown, and together they operated the “Schmitt Century Farm” near Holy Cross for 34 years. During this time Don also taught German and Language Arts at Leo High School in Holy Cross, and for the Western Dubuque School District in Farley and Epworth, where he developed many life-long friends.

They raised their three children on the farm, and together as a family restored a former stagecoach stop built in 1849 as their home. Known as “Pin Oak”, it was settled in 1836, ten years before the State of Iowa was founded. It was on the Dubuque-St. Paul Stage Trail, and it served as a hotel and a post office. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The preservation of history was very important to Don and Janet, and they placed a picture of Pin Oak on their cemetery headstone.

Don served six years in the Army’s 389th engineer battalion, and he was a member of the Farley American Legion Post 656. He was a Commissioner for the Dubuque County Soil and Water Conservation District for 12 years, and also served as its Chairman. In 1972, he received the Outstanding Young Farmer award. He was a member of the Heritage Foundation, the Reagan Ranch Foundation, National Rifle Association, Dubuque County Right to Life, the Clarity Clinic, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

Don served the Holy Cross Catholic Church as an altar boy, lector, and choir member where he would sing in German the song Stille Nacht at Christmas. He was active on the church and school boards. Many years ago, it was tradition for the priest to be the only lector at Mass. When this custom was changed, Father Hemesath asked Don to become the first lay reader at Holy Cross Church. Don lectored from that day until 3 weeks ago.

His interests included traveling, especially to German-speaking countries, and writing letters to the editors of various newspapers on political issues. Don enjoyed firearms, antique tractors, and attending events with the Guttenberg River Park Cruisers, where he and Janet drove their 1956 T-Bird and 1958 Oldsmobile.

Don was known for his great sense of humor. He always had a joke or funny story that he delivered with perfect comedic timing. And who can forget when Don stood on stage in the Holy Cross gym as Rodney Dangerfield, performing a lengthy stand up while adjusting his uncomfortable red tie and declaring, “I don’t get any respect!” He also enjoyed impersonating Willie Nelson, singing various songs.

Survivors include his children Jeff (Linda) Schmitt of Holy Cross, Dave (Wendy) Schmitt of Omaha, NE, and Lisa (Dan) Bowen of Kansas City, KS; grandchildren Michael (Hali) Schmitt, Katelyn Schmitt, John Schmitt, Matt (Libby) Schmitt, Danny Bowen, Nicole Schmitt, Nicholas Bowen, and Adam Schmitt; great-grandchildren Harrison Schmitt and Wyatt Schmitt; in-laws John Decker, Larry (Trudy) Decker, Kathy Koch, and Ann (Andy) Baumann; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janet; parents; parents-in-law Lawrence and Loretta (Hefel) Decker; sister LaVonne; and in-laws Joan and Les Feldmann, and Steve Koch.

Don is an example of a life well lived. By his death he answered the call, etched in German on his tombstone, “Kommet mit Mir und ruhuet in Frieden” (Come with Me and rest in Peace).

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Assisi Village and Stonehill Care Center, Finley Hospital, and Hospice of Dubuque for their kind, compassionate care.

Memorials may be given to LaSalle School or Holy Cross Parish in Holy Cross, Iowa.

Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Holy Cross is assisting the family and online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.