Michael R. Schmidt

Michael R. Schmidt, 73, of Des Moines, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond. Burial will be in the Alexander Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services.

Michael Ray Schmidt was born to Walter George Schmidt and Shirley Ann Schmidt (Fekkers) on April 9, 1952 in Belmond. He started school in Alexander and graduated in May of 1970 from CAL Community Schools in Latimer. During his last year of High School he worked for Latham Seed Farm and received his first weekly paychecks. After graduation Mike worked for H and G Feed from spring of 1970 until spring of 1972.

Mike entered the United States Air Force in May of 1972. He was stationed in Abilene, Texas. Mike serviced airplanes in Guam and Okinawa. He loved doing this work. He was honorably discharged in December of 1977.

Mike returned to the home farm in Alexander to help Mom with the farming and livestock because his father had fallen off the house roof and broken his back. He also helped area farmers and businesses when they needed him.

Mike’s first round of mouth and throat cancer came in October 2000. He was treated at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames and went into remission the spring of 2001.

In 2010, Mike moved to Kona, Hawaii and again worked in the construction business. When that work ended, he went to work managing rental property for the owner of it that lived in California. He loved doing this and lived on the property with a view of the ocean and cruise ships.

When Mike’s cancer returned, he moved back to Iowa in October 2024 leaving Hawaii after 14 years. He described that time as living in paradise. He resided with his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Keith Sheriff in West Des Moines when he returned. 

Mike has left behind his sister Linda Sheriff (Keith) of West Des Moines, nephew Philip Sheriff (Krista) of Clive, nephew Brian Sheriff (Marcia) of Urbandale, niece Erin Sheriff (Heather Schott) of West Des Moines, nephew Steven Sheriff (Ashley Sutton) of Kansas City, Missouri, many great-nieces and great-nephews, an aunt and many cousins.

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents Dick and Marie Schmidt of Alexander and Jacob and Katherine Pals of Meservey and his parents Walter and Shirley Schmidt of Alexander.