Arthur "Art" Schmitt

     Arthur "Art" Schmitt, age 87, of Traditions in West Union, IA, formerly of St. Lucas, IA, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, in West Union, IA.      Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 28, 2016, at St. Lukes Catholic Church, 307 East Main Street, in St. Lucas, IA, with Father Nick March presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.      Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 27, 2016 and also on Monday morning after 9:30 a.m., at the St. Lukes Catholic Church, 307 East Main Street, St. Lucas, IA.      Arthur Frank Schmitt was born April 26, 1928, to William and Anna (Kuennen) Schmitt on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA. Arthur attended St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas. On Nov. 27, 1950, Art was united in marriage to Agnes Riha at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, IA. To this union, four daughters were born, Terri, Marie, Irene and Wilma. Art and Agnes farmed together southeast of St. Lucas area for many years. In 2005, Art retired from farming. In 2008, they moved to St. Lucas. Arthur has been living at Traditions in West Union since 2012. Arthur enjoyed his life on the farm and always made sure he provided for his family. He enjoyed watching westerns, dancing, listening to polka music, playing cards, trips to Las Vegas and many other travels with his wife and numerous family and friends. Art was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters.      Art is survived by his wife: Agnes Schmitt, West Union, IA. Four daughters: Terri (Cal) Drew, Decorah, IA; Marie (Chuck) Riha, Fort Atkinson, IA; Irene (Tom) Frantzen, Alta Vista, IA; and Wilma (Robert) Meyer, St. Lucas, IA. Eight grandchildren: Brian Pahl, Stacy (Rob) Engelhardt, Nikki (fiancé Zach Njus) Riha, Jessica (Michelle) Frantzen, Jolene (T.J.) Schaefer, James (Amanda Luna) Frantzen, Heather (D.J.) Zajicek, and Christopher “Bud” (Ashley) Winter. Nine great-grandchildren: Hannah & Jordan Pahl, Lexi & Marissa Engelhardt, Beckett Frantzen, Jackie & Jocelyn Schaefer, Reece Meitner-Luna and Zoey Zajicek. Two sisters: Lucy (Urban) Dietzenbach, Cresco, IA, and Helen Noska, West Union, IA. Three brothers: Edmund (Norma) Schmitt, West Union, IA; Alex (Shirley) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA; and Gerald (Rosetta) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Anna Cook, Mabel, MN, and Marcie Schneberger, Fort Atkinson, IA. One brother-in-law: Donald Riha, Fort Atkinson, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.    Art was preceded in death by his parents: William and Anna (Kuennen) Schmitt. Three sisters and their husbands: Rita in infancy, Della (Leo) Langreck and Irma (Leonard) Bullerman. Three brothers-in-law: Gene Noska, Orval Cook and Leroy Schneberger. Two sisters-in-law: Rosie Riha and Martha Riha in infancy. His father-in-law and mother-in-law: Martin and Stella (Novotny) Riha.