Luke Schmitt

Luke John Schmitt age 84 of Waucoma, IA died Thursday, December 25, 2014, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday January 9, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma, with Msgr. Carl Schmitt officiating the mass. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waucoma. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma with a 7:00 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service on Friday. Arrangements are by Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home in Waucoma. Luke John Schmitt was born July 25, 1930, the son of Conrad and Clara (Kuennen) Schmitt in St. Lucas, IA. He received his formal education at St. Luke’s Grade School in St. Lucas. He grew up on a farm that bordered the farm of his future wife, Darlyn Drilling. They were married on December 27, 1950 at St. Luke’s Church in St. Lucas. To this union eight children were born. The couple moved to a farm near Waucoma shortly after being married. Together they farmed the land and raised their family there until their retirement. Luke also owned and operated Schmitt Implement in Fort Atkinson, IA from 1965 – 1988. Until his illness, he was active in the Waucoma Historical Society, the Knights of Columbus and an active member in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma. Luke is survived by his wife of 64 years Darlyn; four sons, Wayne Schmitt of Waucoma, Daryl (Melanie) Schmitt of New Hampton, Mark (Desideria) Schmitt of Waucoma, Robert (Susan) Schmitt of Norwood, MN; four daughters, Diane (Bruce) Boden of Ankeny, IA, Barbe (Jim) Carroll of Denver, IA, Sherri (Douglas) Troupe of Omaha, NE and Jean (Steve) Ranshaw of Waxhaw, NC; two brothers, John (Shirley) Schmitt of Ossian, IA and C. Sam (Janice) Schmitt of St. Lucas; one sister, Lorraine (Tom) Friedley of Denver, CO; one sister-in-law, Marvelene Schmitt of Fort Atkinson; 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ernest Schmitt; and grandson, Paul Troupe.