In Memory of Donald G. Schmidtke

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Pastor David W. Lyons will officiate; with committal services following in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. Military Rites will be conducted by the Roose Post No. 313 of the American Legion of Odebolt, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

 

Donald “Don” Schmidtke the son of Paul and Anna (Krieger) Schmidtke, was born in Clark County, Wisconsin on January 26, 1940. He grew up on a farm in rural Granton, Wisconsin where he attended country school until enlisting into the United States Marine Corps, on February 13, 1957

On September 20, 1958, Don was united into marriage to Doreen Luchterhand in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Loyal, Wisconsin. The couple welcomed a son Chuck, while Don was stationed with the Marine Corps, in California.   On February 13, 1960, Don was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps and the family returned back to Loyal, Wisconsin where Don was a Licensed Cheese Maker.

A cheese factory in Odebolt, Iowa brought the family to Odebolt in 1962.  Don and Doreen welcomed a daughter Dawn.

Don lugged beef at IBP and drove truck for local farmers before purchasing his own semi. For most of his working years, he was a company trucker and hauled for Midwest Industries and Farmland Foods. He was a volunteer fireman for the Odebolt Fire Department. During the last years of his trucking career Don became a local farmer. Don enjoyed farming, and his John Deere tractors. He retired from truck driving in 1995. Wanting to keep busy, Don started driving a local school bus, positively impacting the lives of the children he transported.

Don loved his collection of antique tractors and taking them on tractor drives.  He also liked farming, hunting, fishing, and a ride on his motorcycle on a Sunday afternoon.  His time spent with his family was especially important and he treasured his grandchildren and great grandchild.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Anna Schmidtke; sisters Alice Wehe and Carmen Elpert; and brother Alton Schmidtke. 

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years Doreen Schmidtke of Odebolt, Iowa; children Chuck (Donna) Schmidtke of Lake View, Iowa and Dawn Nelson (Dean Hudson) of Laurens, Iowa; grandchildren Deena Hudson, Dallas Nelson and Jaci Nelson; great grandson Brayden Hudson; brother Larry (Karen) Schmidtke of Wisconsin; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.