Robert Dean Schmidt

Goldfield-Robert Dean Schmidt, age 79, of Goldfield died Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha after a long and hard fought battle with Leukemia.

Robert was born February 24, 1946, in rural Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Orville and Flora (Latscha) Schmidt. He grew up on the family farm West of Williamsburg with his parents and four siblings. He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1964.

After graduation, Robert took over farming the family land. He helped his mother with the crops, hogs, cattle and the upkeep of the farm until the age of 50. He then moved to Goldfield, Iowa in 1995 to work for Iowa Select Farms in farrowing until his retirement in 2013.

In Bob’s younger years he enjoyed playing sports, especially volleyball, basketball and bowling, spending time with his friends and family, and doing activities with the Singles Club, where he met his wife, Diana. 

Robert was united in marriage to Diana Mae Bird on June 27, 1975 at Saint Ludmila Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Robert taught the city girl how to be a farm girl. They spent the first 16 years of marriage surrounded by many nieces and nephews. In 1991 they were blessed with their only child, a daughter Theresa. Robert and Diana spent 48 years together, until her passing in 2024. 

Robert was a quiet man until you got to know him; he was then quick with a smile and a joke. His passions in life were sports, farming and family. 

Robert was a HUGE Iowa Hawkeye fan. He never missed watching or listening to an Iowa football or men and women’s basketball game. He enjoyed cheering for the underdogs, so the Detroit Lions and Chicago Cubs were his other favorite teams.

He loved driving his tractor around and working the land. Taking care of the livestock was something he enjoyed as well, except for the chickens. Even after his “retirement” he still found a job working with piglets. 

Most of his time was spend with family. During Childhood he was always with cousins and siblings. As a young adult, there were always nieces and nephews around. One of his greatest accomplishments was being an amazing father. Family gatherings were always his favorite. When family was around there was always a card game going on. If Robert was playing Pinochle or Euchre, he already knew what you were going to play and was two steps ahead of you. 

In Bob’s spare time he enjoyed his vegetable garden, volunteering for meals on wheels, watching TV(Westerns and sports), completing Sudoku puzzles, smoking his cherry vanilla tobacco, enjoying a craft beer, going to concerts, going for long walks, sitting on the patio, talking on the phone with family, eating any cookie or dessert he could find, playing card games, cheering on the Hawks, playing with pets and most of all spending time with Diana and Theresa.

He is survived by his daughter, Theresa Schmidt of Goldfield; siblings Joanne Corey, Dale (Deb) Schmidt; sisters-in-laws Shirley Schmidt, Linda Schmidt and Janet Kline; brothers-in-law Ron, Mike and Alan (Susan) Bird; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Diana, parents and brothers Allan and Ronald. 

Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 am Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg.  Visitation will be 9:00 am until service time at the funeral home. Robert would like everyone to wear an Iowa Hawkeye shirt or black/gold. Burial will be held in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Williamsburg. A General Memorial Fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg is caring for Robert and his family. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com

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