Eleanor Schmidt

Eleanor Mary Schmidt age 80 of Charles City, Iowa formerly of Nashua, died Tuesday November 24, 2015 at Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2015 at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Charles City with Rev. Margaret Hutchens presiding. Interment will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, Charles City with Travis Marvin, Christina Bouillon, Lacy Schoenfeldt, Mandi Gebel, Tonia Knighten and Trevor Thein serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer will be Justin Gebel. Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 27, 2015 at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home – Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church. Eleanor was born June 29, 1935 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Benjamin and Alma (Johnson) Henry. She went to elementary school in California and then proceeded to finish her schooling in Charles City at the end of eighth grade. Due to the passing of her step-mother, Lillian (Passero) Henry. She was obligated to take care of and help raise her two younger siblings. She met the love of her life, Milton Schmidt on a blind date in 1950. The two drove around Charles City and stopped the local A&W for root beer. On December 18, 1952 the two were married at Milton’s parents’ farm house, and to this union five children were born. In 1965 Milton and Eleanor bought their acreage that they lived on for over 48 years. She worked at Stille’s cleaning chickens and helped raise her family on the farm. They had a large garden with every kind of vegetable in it. Together the family would can foods from the garden every year. Eleanor loved horses. Milton and she both had a passion for them. She enjoyed drawing pictures for her grandchildren and loved to cook her famous chocolate salad dressing cake with peanut frosting for all of her family’s special occasions. Spending time with her family was her favorite thing to do. Eleanor is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years, Milton Schmidt, of Charles City, IA; two sons, Roger (Cheryll) Schmidt of North Mankato, MN, William (Becky) Schmidt of Charles City, IA; one daughter, Mary Jo (Larry) Marvin of Nashua, IA; one brother, Clayton (Robin) Henry of Los Cruces, NM; one sister, Laura (Jack) Hickam of Calimesa, CA; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws; two sons Steven and Michael; one grandson Justin Gebel; brother-in-law Phillip Daves; special aunt and uncle Louis and Ella Passero; special aunt Margaret Passero.