Funeral services for James Schmidt were held on Friday, November 22 at First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Interment was at Silver Lake Cemetery in Ayrshire, Iowa.
James Carl Schmidt, son of Henry and Belva (Perkins) Schmidt, was born January 27, 1934 in Pocahontas County, Iowa. He received his education and graduated from Rodman Community School. While in high school, James played basketball and baseball. He was a very good basketball player and had the joy of participating on the team that made it to the substate finals. James enjoyed telling the story about traveling to the game in a snowstorm, having the bus get stuck and the team getting out to push the bus out of the snowbank.
James was united in marriage to Beverly Firkins and they were blessed with three children, Diane, Randy and Angie. They also welcomed two foster children into their home, David Nissen and Debbie James.
James was employed with the United States Postal Service, hauling mail. He also farmed near Rodman, grain farming as well as raising livestock. James had a unique ability to crawl into a cow pen with an untamed cow that had just had a calf, and be able to walk right up to them to help the calf nurse. He enjoyed working with his cattle a great deal and was devastated when his herd became sick and he lost the majority of them. This affected his farming operation and the family was forced to sell the farm. He never gave up hope of owning ground again and later in his life, he, along with his mother and his son, purchased land.
Later James owned and operated the Ayrshire Quick Stop which he enjoyed a lot, always willing to help someone out or take a few minutes to visit with his patrons while they had coffee. James later moved to the farm where he made his home for four years before his health forced him to move to Laurens.
James was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg for many years. He was also a devoted member of the Masonic Lodge in Emmetsburg.
James’s grandchildren were very important to him and he looked forward to spending time with each of them, attending their basketball, baseball, and softball games as well as concerts, musicals and dance recitals. He was proud to watch Brandon play basketball at Iowa State. Attending the area fairs where Jarred and Justin showed their livestock was also a highlight for James. He often talked about how proud he was of Nathan for all that he had done to serve our country.
James passed away Sunday, November 17, 2024 at the Care Center in Laurens, Iowa, at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Belva Schmidt; twin sons in infancy; a brother, Lyle Schmidt; and a sister, Marlene Johnson.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly of Storm Lake, Iowa; his children, Diane Nicol (Norm) of Letts, Iowa, Randy Schmidt (Felicia) of Emmetsburg, Iowa and Angie Woodford (Nate) of Storm Lake, Iowa; his grandchildren, Nathan Nicol (Megan), Brandon Nicol (Jill), Dawn Johnson (Colin), Katie Patterson, Jarred Schmidt, Frankie Georgopoulos (Taylor), Faith Smith (Dylan), Justin Schmidt, Jenny Wilson (Noah), Crystal Woodford, and Amber Masters (Logan); twenty-two great grandchildren; a brother, Keith Schmidt (Nellie) of Ankeny, Iowa; as well as many other relatives and friends.
