Arlene J Schmitt

Arlene Jane Schmitt (Nathan) of Caldwell, peacefully passed away on September 18, 2022 at the age of 95 with family nearby. Funeral services will be held October 14th 2022 at 10:30 am at Dakan Funeral Chapel, 503 S Kimball Ave, Caldwell Idaho. Interment will follow at Canyon Hill Cemetery Caldwell. Family and Friends are invited to a light lunch after burial at Dakan Funeral Chapel Community Center.

Mom was born May 13, 1927 in family farm house in Madison County, near Lindsay NE. She was the only child of Albert and Lillian (Nenedal) Nathan.

Mom attended Lutheran parochial school in a one room schoolhouse for all 8 grades in Nebraska. Most of her classmates were her cousins or cousins of cousins. After several years of struggling to provide for the family by farming in Nebraska the family moved to New Plymouth Idaho in March 1937. Her new 5th grade classroom was bigger than her entire old schoolhouse!

In the fall of 1941, the family moved to a dairy farm north of Nampa ID. They attended Zion Lutheran Church and she sang in the choir. Mom graduated from Nampa Senior High School in 1944 and attended the College of Idaho for 2 years.

Mom met her future husband, Delbert Schmitt, through church youth group in 1946. They attended local dances together and they were married September 13, 1949. Twin boys, Dean and Gene were born in 1955; Karen joined the family in 1959.

Mom worked side by side dad milking cows in the dairy barn and on the farm, driving a sugar beet truck, being the parts runner, assisting moving equipment from field to field or whatever task needed to be completed. Mom had a green thumb and during the summer months mom’s hours would be spent tending the garden and canning and freezing fruit and vegetables for the family. The winter months mom would knit, crochet and sew to pass the hours.

Mom was a member of the Loyal Neighbors Women’s Club, Helpful Hannah’s Club, Grace Lutheran Church and 4-H leader for 10 years. She along with Dad were instrumental in creating the Helping Hands Bowl-a-thon – a program that through donations meals were provided to those less fortunate during the holiday seasons.

Mom was her children’s cheering section! Attending many football and baseball games and tournaments: Ensuring baseball uniforms were spotless for every game and that the best angel food cake, cookies or ensemble were presented for 4-H judging.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Uncle Mike Nenedal, her husband, Delbert Schmitt and 2 nieces.
She is survived by her children, Dean and Jill (Rutledge) Schmitt, Gene and Sandy (McCary) Schmitt and Karen Schmitt Wooddell. Grandchildren Greta and Kevin Miller, Amanda Schmitt, Erica and Tony Catt, Samantha Schmitt, and Cody Wooddell. Great grandsons Jack Young and Cooper Catt and well as several nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to Aspen Creek Senior Living Center, Home and Heart Hospice, Terrace Health Care for their care of mom and especially to Nicole Etzler-Martin for her devotion to mom and the superb care she gave mom.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Grace Lutheran Church in mom’s name or to your favorite charity.
 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Arlene J Schmitt, please visit our Tree Store.