Richard Darrel Schmidt

Richard Darrel “Dick” Schmidt was born on December 15, 1929, on the family farm in Westport Township, Dickinson County, Iowa. He was the third of five sons born to John and Mary (Ringering) Schmidt. Dick was baptized, and later confirmed, in the First Reformed Church in Waterford Township, Clay County, Iowa.

Dick received his education in rural Dickinson County schools and graduated from Okoboji Township Consolidated High School in 1947. After attending Iowa State Teachers College for one semester, he returned home to begin working in carpentry and construction. Over the years, he worked for A.M. Schmidt Construction and Spencer Construction. After a break as a route driver for Witt Sales, he joined Clay Contractors, where he worked on renovations to the Spencer Hospital, construction of “The Highlands” independent living complex, and other building projects in and around Spencer.

Dick served in the U. S. Army from 1951 to 1953, including time in Korea, and received an honorable discharge. He was a member of American Legion Glen Pedersen Post #1 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Spencer.

On July 24, 1961, Dick married Judith Ann “Judy” Townsend in the parsonage of the First Reformed Church in Waterford Township. They rented a duplex in Spencer while Dick and his brothers built their house on Fairview Avenue. In 1965, they moved into their new home and built a life together that lasted nearly 30 years. Dick and Judy were the proud and loving parents of two children: Mary Kay and Brent. Judy passed away on June 19, 1991.

On April 16, 2005, Dick married Betty June (Klatt) Brons at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer. Together, they went dancing, played “500” in card clubs, maintained their flower and annual vegetable gardens, played senior volleyball, and served in various ways at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer. They also enjoyed visiting with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dick and Betty observed their 20th Anniversary on April 16, 2025.

Dick also enjoyed reading, listening to Big Band music, building projects in his workshop, and rooting for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Iowa State Cyclones. He loved to visit and made friends with people of all ages, especially children.

In October 2021, Dick and Betty moved to assisted living at Riverview Terrace in Spencer. After experiencing ongoing health challenges, Dick moved to St. Luke Nursing Home in 2024, where he passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 95.

Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Judy; parents; three brothers and their wives: Alferd and Mary Jean Schmidt, Dale and Mary Gladys Schmidt, and Walt and Lillian Schmidt; niece Robin Lane; brother-in-law Roy Townsend; stepchildren Nancy Owens and Steve Brons; and step-grandson Michael Williams.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; children Mary Kay Schmidt and Brent (Ann) Schmidt; brother Bob (Audrey) Schmidt; sister-in-law Sue Townsend; brother-in-law Bruce (Jean) Townsend; and stepchildren Avis (Jim) Rinsem, Janice Williams, Doug (Dorothy) Brons, and Brenda (Darrell) Martin.

Also surviving are five grandchildren: Breann Schmidt, Shyann (Justin) Dodd, Halle Schmidt, Chloe Schmidt, and Gus Schmidt; one great-grandson, Foxx Dodd; nine step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.