Obituary of Jean Schmidt

Memorial Tribute Born in Sibley, IA on January 30, 1930, Jean was the first child of Henry and Emma (Timmermann) Redinius who baptized her Anna Jean. She would eventually welcome four brothers and seven sisters into the family. Jean attended local schools, graduating from Sibley High School in 1947 and then obtained a Teachers Certificate from the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA. Returning to Osceola County, she taught in the country school system for a few years. During a basketball game in Melvin, she met Raymond "Bim" Schmidt when he pretended to push her off the balcony of the old gym. They were married at the American Lutheran Church of Melvin, IA on November 23, 1951. Shortly after their marriage, Bim was drafted into the army and completed basic training. Jean joined him at assigned posts in Alabama and New Mexico until his discharge in 1954. They returned to Goewey Township and set up housekeeping on the Schmidt home place three miles west and one-half south of Melvin where they lived the majority of their married life. Four children eventually rounded out the family. Besides caring for a busy farm household, Jean was always active in the community, maintaining memberships in the Goewey Home and Study Club, Melvin Legion Auxiliary, Osceola County Republican Women, Mother of Twins Club, TS&T group and The Red Hats. Jean was a member of American Lutheran in Melvin where she taught Sunday and Bible School, sang in the choir and served in various capacities as a member of the A.L.C.W. The Schmidt home welcomed short and long-term foreign exchange students over the years. From 1983 to 2001, Bim and Jean wintered in Bradenton, FL, participating in the lives of the “Florida” children and grandchildren which they enjoyed tremendously. Jean remained on the farm following Bim’s death in 2003, moving to Melvin in the fall of 2007. In May the following year, she suffered a stroke which required a move to the Prairie View Campus in Sanborn, IA where she resided until her passing on September 22, 2013. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters: Carolee, Dorothy, Nancy, Mary June and brother, John. Survivors include her children: Stan (MerryBeth) Schmidt, Port Orange, FL and their daughter, Roberta (Brian) Lysholm of Deland, FL; Rose (Mark) Davis, Charlotte, NC and family: Hayley (Damien) Gomez, Aix-en-Provence, France, Leah (Christian) Perez, Chicago, IL, Elizabeth and Nathaniel Davis, Charlotte, N.C; Mark (Cathy) Schmidt, Caroline and Jonny of Plymouth, MN; Marni (Sean) Spence, Mason and Reagan of Winter Park, FL; siblings: James Redinius, Arnolds Park, IA; Joyce (Carl) Krogman, Sherman, TX; Linda Redinius, Glendale, CA; Michael (Dee) Redinius, Sheldon, IA; Peter (Kay Graber) Redinius, Estherville, IA and Sharon Lemley of Dell Rapids, SD; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Throughout her life, Jean enjoyed tending her large garden, sewing, baking, listening to good music, traveling, embracing new experiences and having coffee with friends. She especially treasured time spent with her family and dearly loved her grandchildren. She will be remembered as one who was ever ready to lend a hand or a listening ear when needed and will be missed by those who knew her.