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Jeanette Schmitz
JEANETTE SCHMITZ
Urbana
Jeanette Schmitz, 99, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at her rural Urbana home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Urbana. Visitation will also be held at the church on Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Urbana.
Jeanette was born Oct. 12, 1922, at Horton, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Mae (Schell) Brinkman. She attended country school in Bremer County and graduated from Waverly High School in 1939. In 1941, Jeanette graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly and became an elementary school teacher. She taught kindergarten, first and second grades all together in the same year.
On Nov. 5, 1949, Jeanette married Joseph Schmitz at Spencer's Grove Catholic Church, rural Urbana. Joe preceded her in death in 2003. Following marriage, Jeanette worked alongside her husband at their grain elevator, trucking and hog buying business at Cheney. According to Joe, Jeanette was the "best hog buyer around!" Not only did Jeanette take care of their own sows and baby pigs, she also raised three children, took care of the house, saw that everyone was well fed, was a seamstress, member of Cheney Club, 4-H leader and "tolerated" horse racing to spend time with her family. She was the hardest working, most productive and efficient person anybody could know. She was the matriarch of her son's auction business and the very best Mom in the whole world! An extraordinary woman. A precious, precious woman.
Left to cherish Jeanette's memory are her daughters, Judy (Tom Cain) Schmitz, Edina, Minn., and Janelle Schmitz, Vinton; and her son, Joel (Donna) Schmitz, Vinton.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joe; and sister, Rachel Brown.
A memorial fund has been established
We would like to give a special "thank-you" to Janelle for being the main caregiver for our mother during her later years.
Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Jeanette and her family. Condolences may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.
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