James Michael Schmidt

james schmidt
James Michael Schmidt, age 70, of Des Moines, Iowa formerly of Elma and Osage, died on Friday, March 15, 2013 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. Jim was born on May 29, 1942 in Elma, IA to Max and Ava Beth (Mealy) Schmidt. He was raised on his parent’s farm and continued to work on the farm while attending Upper Iowa University. He graduated with degrees in biology and history. After college, Jim worked for H.L. Hunt, a large canning company in Storm Lake, IA, as a field operating manager. After two years, he moved on, working for Lundberg’s Greenhouse in Osage, IA. After a few years he bought a greenhouse operation in Harmony, MN. Four years later, Jim sold the greenhouse in Harmony and purchased Lundberg’s Greenhouse in Osage and renamed it Schmidt’s Greenhouse. Around 1980 he decided to change his career path and work in real estate, insurance and securities in and around Tipton and DeWitt, IA. He spent his retirement years in Des Moines where he attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and was an active resident of Luther Park. Jim enjoyed farming, fishing, watching sports, crossword puzzles, attending his grandkids' activities, baking, helping others and spending time with his family and friends. Left behind to cherish his memory are his children and their spouses Kevin (Kelly) Schmidt, of Gahanna, OH, Marla (Steve) Dostal of Pleasant Hill, Nathan (Deb) Schmidt of Altoona, and Rochell (Alan) Heimdal of Forest City, seven grandchildren Kelani and Quinn Dostal, Paige, Morgan, and Maggie Schmidt, Nathaniel, and Joel Schmidt; brothers Max (Georgia) Schmidt of Elma, Daryl Schmidt of New Hampton, and Mark (Karen) Schmidt of Princeton, IL; sisters Mary Schmidt of Elma, Alice Schmidt of Marion, and Rhonda Sands of Dallas, TX as well as many nephews, nieces and friends. James was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Edward. Cemetery: Burial will be in Howard Cemetery, Elma, Iowa Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, Iowa and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Elma, Iowa with Pastor Timothy Phillips officiating.

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  1. Jim was such a special man. He was always helping people out, always there with whatever was needed. He will be missed greatly. Praying for the family at this difficult time. We know he is in a much better place now.

  2. My prayers are for all of Jim’s Family. It is comforting to know He is with His Heavenly Father and free of pain. May God comfort You during this trying time.

  3. Enjoyed visiting with Jim at Luther Park. Prayers go to the family. May Gods comfort and peace surround you during this time of grief.

  4. Jim entered eternal life on Friday God was good to him and gave him peace and a wonderful life ahead. Our prayers go out to his family and pray they will remember the good memories they have and remember Jim is no longer suffering.

  5. Jim was an outstanding friend to us when we
    Worked as managers at Illahee Hills retirement
    Community, where Jim lived. Each morning he
    Would get the newspapers and make sure they
    We’re delivered to each proper resident. He
    Always helped us managers do any clean up in
    The dinning room and would do anything we
    Ask of him. We spend many hours after duties
    Visiting with him and sharing stories. We lost
    Track of the years… Then discovered he was
    A special friend to Pat McNeeley, who debi went
    To school with her daughter Linda. Small world after all.
    Jim will be greatly missed and was greatly loved.
    So heartbroken to hear of this loss. Prayers to all
    Who knew him.
    Debi and Tom

  6. Jim was an outstanding friend to us when we
    Worked as managers at Illahee Hills retirement
    Community, where Jim lived. Each morning he
    Would get the newspapers and make sure they
    We’re delivered to each proper resident. He
    Always helped us managers do any clean up in
    The dinning room and would do anything we
    Ask of him. We spend many hours after duties
    Visiting with him and sharing stories. We lost
    Track of the years… Then discovered he was
    A special friend to Pat McNeeley, who debi went
    To school with her daughter Linda. Small world after all.
    Jim will be greatly missed and was greatly loved.
    So heartbroken to hear of this loss. Prayers to all
    Who knew him.
    Debi and Tom

  7. We went to country school together many years ago. May the warmth and comfort of lovely memories someday take the place of the sadness you feel now.

  8. Im so sorry to hear of Jims passing . My deepest sympathy to all the family. I’ll always remember him as a classmate that was very nice and always was kind to everyone. We had good times in back then in the Elma Public High School where we attended so many years ago
    May God comfort all the family at this difficult time

  9. So grateful that the LORD brought James and I together last August. Little did I know that going to the Senior Center for lunch would be the beginning of a wonderful love story. We shared many hours together with family and each other. I would not trade a moment of our time together and will always regret that we did not have more.
    It will be just a short while until we are reunited in the presence of the Savior. I’m sure James will be eager to show me around and will already have found all the “Best Spots” and floral gardens.
    Love you now and always Hon. Waiting to see you again.

  10. With Deepest Sympathy
    So saddened to hear of your loss; please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Life has not ended it has merely changed and we will be reunited again someday. As we grieve we must also rejoice as He is embraced with His Heavenly Father

    Di and Reece Kovarik

    Sorry we are unable to attend the services – you are in our prayers

  11. All of us at the North Senior Center were saddened by the loss of Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

  12. Please accept our sincere condolences. May the words quoted from this song bring you a measure of comfort as it did for us.
    ”If a man should die, can he live again?
    Hear the promise God has made:
    He will call; The dead will answer.
    They shall live at his command.
    For he will have a longing
    For the work of his own hand.
    So have faith, and do not wonder,
    For our God can make us stand.
    And we shall live forever,
    As the work of his own hand ”(Job 14:13-15)

  13. What a dear precious friend you became. Our lives are richer for having had you in it, but the time felt far too short….


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