In Memory of Ruth E. Schmidt

Ruth E. Schmidt, age 82, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Rev. Richard A. Salcido and Rev. Neil Wehmas will officiate; with Committal Services following in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Ruth E. Schmidt, the daughter of Herbert and Lucille (Carlson) Bennigsdorf was born on August 24, 1935, in Denison, Iowa. She grew up in Charter Oak, Iowa and was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. Ruth was a faithful member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. She was active in her church circle and Dorcas Society helping make many quilts. 

On December 13, 1954, Ruth was united into marriage to Earl D. Schmidt in the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. To this union four children were born Merle, Sherri, Sheryl, and Colleen.

Ruth took pleasure in being a homemaker and running her in home daycare for 20 years. She treasured spending time with her family and going to Monday morning coffee club.

Ruth enjoyed flower gardening, puzzles, dancing, watching and feeding her birds, camping, and traveling. Ruth’s kindness will be remembered by all the lives she touch throughout her life.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Herbert (Lucille) Bennigsdorf; husband Earl D. Schmidt; brothers Gary Bennigsdorf and Robert “Bob” (Marlene) Bennigsdorf; sister Dorene Wonder; grandchild Sara Schmidt; sister-in-law Marlene Bennigsdorf; and brother –in-law Leroy Wonder.

Left to carry her memory on are her four children Merle (special friend Julie Rae Grace) Schmidt of Ida Grove, IA, Sherri (Steve) Skarin of Decorah, IA, Sheryl (Randy) Goodman of Battle Creek, IA, and Colleen Lainhart of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Heidi Abbate of Henderson, Co, Meagan (Danny) Cordova of Brighton, Co, Jason (Brita) Skarin of Decorah, IA, Matt (Carissa)Skarin of Cedar Falls, IA, Lindsey Terrel of Lincoln, NE, Ryan (Dana) Goodman of Ida Grove, IA, Shane (Tobi) Goodman of Atlanta, GA, Jamie (Brett) Scholting of Dakota Dunes, SD, Melanie (Tom) Bauler of Wallingford, IA, Nicole (James) Long of Blackwell, OK, Jared (Sara Hilliard) Lainhart of Kansas City, MO; brothers Lonnie (Marva) Bennigsdorf of Battle Creek, IA, Russell (Clara) Bennigsdorf of Ida Grove, IA, Darrell Bennigsdorf of Ida Grove, IA, and Vern (Edith) Bennigsdorf of   Montrose, CO; sisters Leila (Bernard) Lansink of Ida Grove, IA and Carol (Maynard) Miller of Atlantic, IA, sister-in-law Sharon Bennigsdorf of Ida Grove, IA; extended family and friends.