Arthur “Art” Schmitt

Monday, March 28, 2016 5:27 pm

Arthur “Art” Schmitt, 87, of Traditions in West Union, formerly of St. Lucas, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, in West Union. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 28, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, St. Lucas, with Rev. Nick March. Mass servers were Kyle and Kalvin Langreck. Cross bearer was Kelby Reicks. Organist was Kathy Meyer. Cantor was Evie Milbrandt. St. Luke’s Choir sang. Hymns were “Be Not Afraid,” “River of Glory,” “You are Mine,” “Only a Shadow” and “Precious Lord.” Memorial song was “Blest are They“ (Jolene Schaefer and Nikki Riha. Lectors were Wilma Meyer and Tom Frantzen. Offertory gift bearers were Terri, Marie, Irene and Wilma. Eucharistic ministers were Wilma Meyer, Tom Frantzen, Jim Zajicek and Germaine Langreck. Casket bearers were Art’s grandchildren Brian Pahl, Stacy Engelhardt, Nikki Riha, Jessica Frantzen, Jolene Schaefer, James Frantzen, Heather Zajicek, Christopher “Bud” Winter. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Arthur Frank Schmitt was born April 26, 1928, to William and Anna (Kuennen) Schmitt on the family farm near St. Lucas. Arthur attended St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas. Art was united in marriage to Agnes Riha Nov. 27, 1950, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. To this union, four daughters were born: Terri, Marie, Irene and Wilma. Art and Agnes farmed together southeast of the 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; four daughters: Terri (Cal) Drew, Decorah; Marie (Chuck) Riha, Fort Atkinson; Irene (Tom) Frantzen, Alta Vista; and Wilma (Robert) Meyer, St. Lucas; eight grandchildren: Brian Pahl, Stacy (Rob) Engelhardt, Nikki (fiancé  Zach Njus) Riha, Jessica (Michelle) Frantzen, Jolene (TJ) Schaefer, James (Amanda Luna) Frantzen, Heather (D.J.) Zajicek and Christopher “Bud” (Ashley) Winter; nine great-grandchildren: Hannah and Jordan Pahl, Lexie and Marissa Engelhardt, Beckett Frantzen, Jackie and Jocelyn Schaefer, Reece Meitner-Luna and Zoey Zajicek; two sisters, Lucy (Urban) Dietzenbach, Cresco and Helen Noska, West Union; three brothers: Edmund (Norma) Schmitt, West Union; Alex (Shirley) Schmitt, St. Lucas; and Gerald (Rosetta) Schmitt, St. Lucas; two sisters-in-law, Anna Cook, Mabel, Minn.,and Marcie Schneberger, Fort Atkinson; one brother-in-law, Donald Riha, Fort Atkinson; 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

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