Suzette D. Schmelzer

GARNAVILLO, IOWA

   Suzette D. Schmelzer, 59, of Garnavillo, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at her home.

   Suzette was born on October 16, 1965, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Larry and Sheila (Wistrick) Ingles. She was united in marriage to Kirk Willie on December 4, 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had two children together, Brooke and Kristi. They later divorced after 24 years of marriage and were able to remain friends. Suzette was united in marriage to Richard Schmelzer on August 21, 2010, in Garnavillo, Iowa.

   Over the years Suzette worked at various places including Key-Stone Auto Sales, Jessens grocery store, the Country Rose Cafe, Elkader Golf Course, and Roll-O-Matic Curtains, it was at Roll-O-Matic Curtains where she met her husband, Richard. What she enjoyed the most was selling tickets and collecting donations for the Combat Vets. Every year she would try to sell more than she did the previous year, she was such a people person and loved talking to anybody and everybody. She also enjoyed traveling, anywhere where there was a beach or ocean that's where she wanted to be, her favorite place to go was Florida. Suzette loved celebrating the holidays and getting the family together, crocheting, her dogs and helping anybody she could. If you needed something she was right there to help with no questions asked. Most of all she loved her daughters and grandchildren, they were the light of her life.

   Suzette is survived by her husband, Rich Schmelzer of Garnavillo; children: Brooke (Jake) Steger of Elkport, Kristi (Travis) Chettinger of Dundee; her grandchildren: Kota Steger, Ashlynn, Bralie and Kayson Chettinger; siblings: Lynette (Jeff) Steger of Garber, Jozette (Brian) Paul of Greeley and Joe (Paula) Ingles of Bellevue; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved dogs, Bella, Sophie, and Rex.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Sheila Ingles; grandparents, Butch and Mildred Ingles; uncles: Barry, Jerry, Kerry, Terry and Rich Ingles.

   Visitation will be from 3-7 PM on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Morris Funeral Home in Garnavillo. Visitation will continue at 9 AM, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo.

   Funeral services will commence at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery. Deacon Jim Pfaffly is officiating.

Morris Funeral Home in Garnavillo is assisting the family. Information is available at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.