116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Dean Schminke
DEAN EDWARD SCHMINKE
Vinton
Dean Edward Schminke, 74, father, grandfather and husband of 49½ years, passed away with family by his side on Feb. 6, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Vinton. Visitation will also be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at the church. Full military rites will follow the funeral service with burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
Dean was born Sept. 8, 1947, to Henry and Audrey (Hartz) Schminke. He was drafted during the Vietnam War and returned home to meet the love of his life, Jane Thompson. They were married on July 8, 1972, and moved to the family farm where they raised their three children and continued to farm for upwards of 50 years. When the time came, Dean was ready to retire and moved to a home overlooking hole #3 at the Vinton Country Club.
Dean lived his life being a steward of his land and community. From caring for his farm land, plowing neighbors drives, and clearing lily pads for his grandkids at the lake, he was never one to sit still for long, making sure the things around him were well taken care of.
He had a strong devotion for Vinton, Iowa, the community he loved. Dean served on numerous boards throughout his lifetime, most recently the Public Library and Hospital Farm Board, and was an active member in the local Lions Club.
As a man of God but believer in science, Dean had no doubts the two could co-exist. He was grateful for every year that modern medicine gave him, while knowing he would be welcomed home when his time came.
Dean is survived by his wife, Jane; son, Nicholas (Alexis) Schminke, Texas; two daughters, Alison (Aaron) Eckert, Minn., and Amy (Joseph) Vislisel, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Henry and Elsie Vislisel, Conrad and Audrey Eckert, and Piper, Pearl and Pike Schminke; sister-in-law, Marilyn Schminke, Vinton; and two step-sisters: Sherry Elliott and Dianne Rager, both of Waterloo.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Schminke; and stepmother, Pauline Schminke.
A memorial fund has been established.
Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Dean and his family. Condolences may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.
Daily Newsletters