Elmer Schmitt

Elmer Schmitt, age 90, of Fort Atkinson, IA passed away Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at St. John's Catholic Church, 201 Oak St., Fort Atkinson, IA, with Father Nicholas Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at St. John's Catholic Church, 201 Oak St., Fort Atkinson, IA. Also, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., before the service on Wednesday at the church.
Elmer was a devoted husband to Dorothy for 69 years, a proud father to Betty, Ron, Ken and Kay, and a cherished grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was born on the family farm on February 20, 1935, the sixth child of Frank X. and Anna (Hackman) Schmitt. He attended St. John's Catholic School, Ft. Atkinson, IA through eighth grade. He met and married the love of his life, Dorothy on August 16, 1955 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA. They settled on the family farm near Ft. Atkinson where they spent many happy and memory-filled years.
Elmer was a proud and dedicated farmer. He spent a lifetime planting and harvesting crops, raising chickens, hogs, cattle, and milking cows. His sons, continue farming the land that is now a century farm.
He enjoyed polka music and dancing, family trips, playing cards, and delivering a good joke with a clever smile. Over the years he served as a director of the Ft. Atkinson Coop and served several offices for the Catholic Order of Foresters. He received a lifetime award for being a Renk corn seed dealer for over 50 years. When retiring 25 years ago, they built a home and moved into town. However, it was common to see Elmer and Dorothy making frequent trips to the farm to see how things were going. Elmer's legacy lives on in the many memories and lessons he imparted to his family. He taught them the importance of hard work, kindness, humor, and faith.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy. Four children: Betty Murphy, Waterloo, Ron (Jane) Schmitt, Ft. Atkinson, Ken (April) Schmitt, Ft. Atkinson, and Kay Brandt, Carver, MN. Nine Grandchildren: Brenda (Jonathan) Frye, Pam (Mike) Caley, Ryan (Kristin) Murphy, Shaun (Kendra) Schmitt, Melissa (Chris) Diveley, Scott (Rachel) Schmitt, Heidi (Derek) Lindstrom, Zach Brandt, and Kaitlin Brandt. Seventeen Great Grandchildren. In-laws: Joan Schissel, Bernice Hackman, Melvin and Mary Rausch, Alice Hageman, Theresa Cunitz, Louise Hageman, and Alma Meyer, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank X. and Anna Schmitt, in-laws Ignatius and Elizabeth Hageman, son-in-law Craig Brandt, great grandsons: Paul Diveley and Isaiah Schmitt. Brothers: Leonard Schmitt, Clarence and Evelyn Schmitt, Francis Schmitt. Sisters: Mildred and Cletus Uhlenhake, Luella and Jerome Elsbernd, Elaine Kuennen. In-laws: Urban Hageman, Lee Schissel, Leon and Jean Hageman, Alvin Hackman, LaVerne Hageman, Bob Cunitz, Al Hageman, and Pete Meyer.
Elmer's family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff at Aase Haugen and WinnMed Hospice for their care, love, and support.