Shirley Schmitt

 Shirley Ann (Croatt) Schmitt age 76 of St. Lucas, IA died Sunday, September 10, 2017 at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah from complications of Parkinsons. Her husband and children were with her by her side.Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 14, 2017 at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church at 215 East Main St. St. Lucas, IA with Father Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial will be in the St. Luke’s Cemetery.Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2017 and at 10:00 am Thursday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Shirley Ann (Croatt) Schmitt was born on April 7, 1941 to John and Blanche (Tierney) Croatt on the family farm near Waucoma, IA. Shirley graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Waucoma in 1959. She was united in marriage to Alex A. Schmitt on October 15, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma, IA. They were blessed with six children: Dennis, Darrell, Dean, Mary Lynn, Nancy and Wayne. She farmed with her husband, while raising their six children. Shirley enjoyed gardening, baking, going to garage sales, attending grandkids sporting events and going to the casino. Her favorite room in the house was her kitchen where she found great pleasure in baking and hosting many family gatherings. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her twenty-one grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Shirley and Alex loved the vacations they took with friends over the years. Shirley was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, National Catholic Order of Foresters, St. Luke Catholic Church and Rosary Society.Shirley is survived by her devoted husband Alex of fifty-six years of St. Lucas, IA along with their six children and their spouses: Dennis (Glenda) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA, Darrell (Tammy) Schmitt, Spillville, IA, Dean (Cheryl) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA Mary Lynn (Brad) Baumler, Grimes, IA, Nancy (Deano) Kuennen, Granger, IA and Wayne (Denise) Schmitt, Waucoma, IA; twenty one grandchildren: Darren (Carley) Schmitt, Brian (Dana) Schmitt, Brad (Brittany) Schmitt, Derek Schmitt , Jordan Schmitt, Alexander Schmitt, Ty Schmitt, Cole Schmitt, Gracie Schmitt, Justin (Morgan) Fonley, Brandon Schmitt, Hunter Baumler, Carter Baumler, Trever Baumler, Caleb Kuennen, Cade Kuennen, Regan Schmitt, Riley Schmitt, Raquel Schmitt, Ryann Schmitt, Rolin Schmitt; our great grandchildren: Seamus Fonley, Kora Fonley, Ellie Schmitt and Brynnlee Schmitt; one sister: Dorma (Dale) Wieck; one brother: Gerald Croatt; two brothers-in-law: Edmund (Norma) Schmitt, West Union, IA; and Gerald (Rosetta) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA; sisters-in-law: Elaine Croatt, Lawler, IA, Lucy (Urban) Dietzenbach, Cresco, IA and Helen Noska, West Union, IA. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents: John and Blanche Croatt; mother and father-in-law William and Anna (Kuennen) Schmitt; brother: David Croatt; three sisters-in-law and their husbands: Rita in infancy, Della (Leo) Langreck and Irma (Leonard) Bullerman; brothers-in-law Arthur (Agnes) Schmitt and Gene Noska. Shirley’s family would like to extend special thanks to everyone for their prayers, caring concerns and many acts of kindness shown to them. Special thank you to the loving staff at Barthell OES Home for their wonderful care.