Gerald Schmidt

GERALD SCHMIDT

Mount Vernon

After a long history of coronary heart disease, Gerald "Jerry" John Schmidt died Monday, April 28, 2014, peacefully at home under the care of Unity Point Hospice, with his wife, Wava; and daughter, Jan at his side. A memorial service to celebrate Jerry's life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, May 5, at The United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the church.

Jerry was born Feb. 8, 1934, in Pomeroy, Iowa, to Herman John and Helen (Baird) Schmidt. The Schmidt family moved to Lisbon, Iowa, in 1936, to live on the farm where Jerry's great-grandfather, John Baird and grandfather Andrew J. Baird had farmed. Jerry was the fourth generation to live and farm Pine Grove Farm. He attended West Corner country school in Greenfield Township and graduated from Martelle High School in 1952. He attended Iowa State College earning a bachelor's in farm operations and agricultural education in 1956. Jerry was a ROTC cadet all four years of college and upon graduation, he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. Jerry was pleased to be honored at Iowa State College in his senior year with the Iowa State College Cardinal Key for leadership and service as well as Phi Kappa Phi for scholarship.

On Sept. 1, 1956, Jerry married Wava Palmer at the Springville United Methodist Church in Springville, Iowa. The first three years of marriage were spent in the United States Air Force while he served his country as a navigator/bombardier in the Strategic Air Command. Upon his discharge from active duty, he reentered Iowa State University where he earned his Master's Degree in agricultural education in 1961. He taught science and vocational agriculture, and served as the FFA advisor for the Iowa Falls school system for four years. He also directed the adult education program for Ellsworth College.

Jerry had a successful 30 year career in the plant protection industry for Geigy and Ciba-Geigy (currently known as Syngenta), where he served in sales, sales service, advertising and sales promotion. His career took him from Iowa to Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Minnesota and finally back to Iowa. Upon his retirement, his services continued for 10 years consulting for Direct Contact Inc. (DCI). with agricultural dealers, introducing new products for the ag market place.

Jerry's lifelong dream was to farm and his retirement years provided the opportunity for him to return to the family farm he loved so much. Here he was able to work and use his knowledge to increase yields, control weeds and transform the farm to his "paradise" on earth as well as share it with many others to enjoy fishing and fun gatherings at the Pine Grove Pond.

Jerry was a 40-year-member of Rotary and a charter member of the Hutchinson, Minn., Rotary Club, where he served as their second president. He taught Sunday school classes, sang in choirs and held roles of leadership in United Methodist churches wherever he lived. He was a lifetime Master Gardener for 18 years in Linn County where he enjoyed learning, helping and teaching others for Iowa State University Extension.

Jerry had a lifelong love for many sports, starting when his Dad played ball with him as a child, continuing with Jerry's participation in sports in high school and developing into his passion for college sports.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Wava Palmer Schmidt; his brother, James (Jim) Baird Schmidt (Susan); his children, Janice Schmidt Mussell (Daniel), Robins; John Andrew Schmidt, (Evelyn) Lindon, Utah, and Carrie Schmidt Hubbard, Raleigh, N.C.; and two grandchildren, Kathryn and Taylor Hubbard; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jerry will be long remembered as a loving husband, dad, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His quiet strength of character, sense of humor and positive attitude touched the lives of those he knew and loved. Jerry was a "people person" and lived the Rotary motto, "Service above Self."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Jerry's memory to The United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, 304 First St. SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314; or to the Lisbon/Mount Vernon Ambulance at 730 First St. NE, Mount Vernon, IA 52314.

Please sign the online guest book for Jerry at

www.murdochfuneral

home.com under

obituaries.

The family would like to thank the staff of UnityPoint Hospice, under the medical direction of Dr. Jim Bell, for their commitment, support and care of Jerry and his family during Jerry's time in hospice. Also, we would like to thank the staff of UnityPoint Health St. Luke's Hospital that cared for Jerry over the years in the departments of cardiology, neurology, rehabilitation medicine and the inpatient hospice unit. In addition, a special thanks to doctors Jason Booth and Keith Kopec for their ongoing care of Jerry.