Charles "Chuck" Schmidt

Charles "Chuck" Schmidt of Ames, Iowa, passed away on November 6, 2025, at Israel Family Hospice House, at the age of 89. He was born on February 1, 1936, to Glen and Flora Schmidt of Stuart, Iowa. Chuck graduated from Stuart High School in 1954 where he played basketball and baseball and was involved with Thespian, FFA and 4H. He was honored to attend Iowa Boys State, was a member of National Honor Society and received the FFA Iowa Farmer Degree. He graduated from Iowa State College (University) with a BS degree in Agriculture Education in 1958.

After college, Chuck taught Vocational Agriculture at Lytton, Iowa. While there he met the love of his life, Darlene Matter. They were married August 16, 1959, and celebrated 66 years together. After 4 years in Lytton, he went to Aurelia, Iowa, for 3 years to finish his tenure as a Vo-Ag teacher. He received his MA degree in Vocational Education at the University of Minnesota in St Paul while teaching in Aurelia. He received the Honorary State FFA Farmer Degree for his work with students.

In 1965 he joined Felco Regional Cooperative (which soon became Land O'Lakes) as a field representative in northwest Iowa & later became the manager at Laurens Coop elevator for a year and a half. In 1970 Chuck and Darlene moved to Ft Dodge to take a position at Felco/Land O Lakes Cooperative as Swine Production Manager in the feed division. The swine division was an area that he loved, having learned a lot from all the purebred hog producers at Lytton. He spent 31 years in cooperatives, including the last 9 years as Vice President Feed & Business Development and retired in 1995. Chuck spent the last 5 years before retirement in Minneapolis after which they moved to Ames, Iowa.

Chuck and Darlene have enjoyed the last 32 years living in Ames. Some farm land takes them to Sac & Calhoun counties to visit the farm tenants and see how the crops are doing. He taught himself how to use a computer after he retired so he could make up programs to keep records to analyze how crops had produced.

He and Darlene were active Cyclone Club members as ticket holders in many sports, Order of the Knoll, Big 12 and NCAA basketball tournaments and football bowl games. Chuck was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church and Masonic Lodge for 50+ years.

Chuck is survived by his three children, Linda Marrs of Schertz, TX; Robert (Lisa) of Ames; and Brent (Kerri) of Denver, CO. The grandchildren are Jessica (Jay) Walkup, Austin (AJ), Meredith (Delton) Thompson; Andrew (Mady) Schmidt, Madeline; and Decker, Kendyl and Kamber Schmidt. The 7 great grandchildren are Jackson & Jase Walkup, Logan, Connor, Kaylee Thompson and Cooper and Olivia Schmidt. Other survivors include sister- in- law Nan Schmidt and brother-in-law Darold Matter and many extended family members. Chuck had a special relationship with his grandchildren whom he adored. He was predeceased by his parents, Scott Marrs (son-in-law), Jerry Schmidt (brother), Harold & Leona Matter (parents-in-law), Sister in-law Darla Noel and brother-in-law Darwin Matter.

Every 2 to 3 years their 3 children and families would travel from different parts of the country to their time shares in Hilton Head, SC. In later years it got too hard to get their growing family (in numbers and as well as age) together, but such lasting memories were created during those times that will never be forgotten. Darlene and Chuck were fortunate to take many trips to foreign countries where Chuck was always eager to meet new people along the way. This always made the trip so much fun.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 12:30-2:00 at Bethesda Luther Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave., Ames, Iowa with memorial service to follow at 2. A light lunch will be served in the Commons following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts will be given to Bethesda Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com