Evelyn Schmitt

Monday, June 10, 2024 4:38 am

Evelyn Marie (Phillips) Schmitt, 98, of Protivin, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at Colonial Manor of Elma in Elma.

Evelyn was born Nov. 4, 1925 in Winneshiek County on a farm near Conover, Iowa, to Vincent and Christina (Snyder) Phillips where she grew up.  Evelyn attended grade school in Conover and St Wenceslaus School in Spillville. She graduated from Calmar High School in 1943.  Before her marriage, she helped on the farm with milking, driving the tractor and other chores and then worked at Meyers Grocery in Calmar.

On Sept, 25, 1947, Evelyn married Delmar B. Schmitt at St Wenceslaus Church, Spillville. They resided in Protivin all their lives. To this union, four children were born, Vincent 1948 who died shortly after birth, Sharon (David Gellen), and the twins, Denis (Carolyn) and Denise (Rick) Hucka. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother of four and great grandmother of four.

Hard work was always part of Evelyn’s life. She started the Koffee Kup Café, which featured daily specials and homemade pies. She worked at the Protivin Locker, was a bookkeeper at Haug Store and cooked for The Mint.  She and her friends were known far & wide for their fabulous homemade food buffets.  After serving hundreds of people, the ladies enjoyed a beer, laughed and played 500. Her and Delmar Owned and Operated “The Decorah Bootery” for many years.  Evelyn was always the happiest serving others – family, friends & strangers.

Evelyn was kind, welcoming to all and a sweetheart to all who knew her.  When anyone came to the door, she served coffee/beer, pulled out the food and provided many laughs. Her sense of humor was wonderful until the very end.

She Loved Polka & Big Band Music and could play the piano and harmonica by ear. She also loved to Dance and went to the Inwood Dances with girlfriends as a teenager and before marriage.  After Marriage, She and Delmar also went to Dances but he had 2 left feet!

Evelyn was famous for her homemade food and baked goods including kolaches from scratch fillings.  She was still baking cakes for Czech Days at age 96. She Loved watching birds, especially the hummingbirds.  Children, grandchildren, great grands and all children were her greatest joy – many non-family children called her Grandma.

Evelyn spoke fluent Czech, and was her daughter’s tour guide in the Czech Republic.  She would stay up most of the night doing a puzzle and playing cards at family gatherings.

Until the day before she died, when you said goodbye, I love you, she always said “I love you more” Mom was the Best Role Model a Person could have, and I think not only to her Family, but everyone who came in contact with her was a better person.

Evelyn was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary for over 75 years.

Evelyn is survived by her children and spouses, grandchildren: Benjamin (Kate) Schmitt, Amy (Jon) Meuret, Shannon Schmitt (Robert Gibbs), Brett (Brenna) Hucka; great grandchildren: Nora and Benson Schmitt, Camille Meuret, and Lucille Hucka; niece Linda Hrdlicka and nephew David Phillips. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Delmar, son Vincent, parents, and by brother Art (Mary) Phillips.

Services will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin, with a 9:30 a.m. visitation; and 10:30 a.m.  Mass and Internment at the Church Cemetery with lunch to follow at the Protivin Community Center.