Richard Schmadeke

Richard Schmadeke age 75 of Fredericksburg, IA, died Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Unity Point - St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023, at St. Peters Lutheran Church (Richfield) in rural Sumner with Rev. Scott Smith and Pastor Michael Christie officiating. For those unable to attend in person please join the family via livestream at the link below: https://foveo.stream/hugeback-johnson/richard-john-schmadeke Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory -- in Fredericksburg. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. A graveside service will take place at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredricksburg. Richard’s remarkable life began May 5, 1948, when his parents, Ralph and Rose Marie (Thorne) Schmadeke welcomed him into the world in New Hampton, Iowa. It was a challenging start for this young infant with pneumonia, therefore was baptized at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Richfield Lutheran Church where he was confirmed. Richard completed the family of three children, joining an older brother, Bob, and younger sister, Ruth. He and his family lived on a farm east of Fredericksburg where he developed a tremendous work ethic milking cows and helping with daily chores. He attended country school through his early years and then attended Fredericksburg elementary and High School. Because of his farm commitment, he only competed in football, earning all-conference honors as a center for the Falcons. He was active in FFA and served as president of the organization. After graduating in the class of 1966, he served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy as a diesel mechanic during the Vietnam War. He was assigned to the USS Canberra, a guided missile cruiser warship home port at San Diego Naval Station. The USS Canberra deployed in support of the Vietnam War making many port calls across the world. He served four years active duty and then joined the Naval Reserves serving until 1993 when he retired as a Chief Petty Officer. When he received his honorable discharge in 1970, Dick returned to Fredericksburg working as a mechanic at various locations around northeast Iowa. On May 15, 1971, he married his close friends’ sister Kathy Moody at the First Baptist Church in Fredericksburg. To this union, two children were born, Nicole and Brent. He was very proud of their many achievements throughout their lives with both children earning their degrees in education. Nicole teaches in Cedar Rapids and Brent eventually followed in his father’s military footsteps joining the U.S. Coast Guard where he serves as the Commanding Officer of USCG Air Station Port Angeles. Richard worked 10 years with Beatrice Cheese mainly working the graveyard shift so he wouldn’t miss his children’s various school events. Amazingly during this period he managed to work as a substitute mail route carrier and farm with his buddy, Brad. He eventually became a full time rural mail carrier that lasted for 45 years. He was very dedicated to his job and thoroughly enjoyed the many mail box visits with his patrons throughout the years. Summer weekends were spent at their camper or in his boat on the Mississippi River where they have developed a second family. He and Kathy enjoyed traveling and his most memorable trip was a family vacation to Hawaii. They also took ship cruises to Alaska and New England. He insisted he attend the annual September Schmadeke Reunion where he could connect with family friends. Dick was a patriotic man and 52 year member of AM vets Post 90 and Lawler Legion. He marched in numerous parades with the Color Guard and traveled to Washington D.C. with the Honor Flight. He was a proud 50 year member of the Fredericksburg Fire Fighters serving as chief for 10 years. He and Kathy served on the Dairy Day Board for a number of years and were chairpersons in 1984 and 1987 and were chosen to be the 2023 Dairy Day Grand Marshalls. He was also a member of Antique Power Club, Fredericksburg and Wartburg Booster Clubs and Plum Creek Golf Course. He enjoyed playing Euchre on Sunday afternoons, and joining friends for Tuesday night Men’s Golf. But his favorite hobby was heading to the Ellison farm in the spring and fall where he was able to work and mostly play with dear friends Brad and Linda. What Dick enjoyed the most was spending time with family and friends. Fishing with grandchildren always put a smile on his face and several hooks in his hand. He was a quiet, reserved man and always willing to help out someone in need. Dick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathy, his daughter Nicole(Kevin) Manternach of Ely, Iowa, and Brent (Kate) Schmadeke of Sequim, Washington; four grandchildren, Alexandria and Ezekiel Schmadeke and Isabella and Taylor Manternach. One brother, Bob(Nancy) Schmadeke of Cypress, Texas and one sister, Ruth(Roger) Hucke of Sumner and brother and sister in law, Ron(Judy) Moody and many treasured nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Rose Schmadeke, father and mother in law, Earl Moody and Betty Peterman; brothers in law, David, Harlan, John Moody and Jim Sheffner along with many other family and friends.