Catherine R. Schmidt, 95, formerly of Cascade, Iowa passed away on Monday, September 26, 2016 at Heritage Manor (Hawkeye Care Center), Dubuque.

Friends and relatives of Catherine may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2016 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa where a wake service will be held at 3 p.m.

Services for Catherine will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 1, 2016 at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa with Msgr. James Miller officiating. Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.

Catherine was born on February 3, 1921 in Springbrook, IA daughter of Henry and Katherine (Huilman) Poll. She married Elmer Schmidt on January 9, 1940. Together, they raised 11 children. Catherine was the proud grandmother of 40 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Catherine and her husband began farming near Zwingle, Iowa. After the arrival of child number seven, they moved to a farm near Cascade Iowa in 1954 that became their family farm.
Catherine was first and foremost a devoted wife and mother. She cooked, cleaned, gardened and preserved fruits and vegetables, sewed clothing for her family and tended to many childhood illnesses.
She enjoyed playing cards with her friends. She loved to bake, sew, garden, and quilt. Each of her children and many of her grandchildren have been the grateful recipients of a hand sewn quilt. She loved Christmas and spent many hours making each of her young grandchildren a handmade gift each Christmas. She made the best peach pie and the freezer was always full of pies and cookies "just in case" someone stopped in. She loved watching the birds feed at her windows.

She loved her family and lovingly prayed for them daily. She is survived by 10 children, Mary Catherine (Lou) Ronnebaum of Earlville, IA; Raphael (Patsy) Schmidt of Omaha, NE; Lorin Schmidt of Hopkinton, IA; Rosie (Donald) Putz of New Vienna, IA; Mindy (Louis) Bassler of Dubuque, IA; Paul Schmidt of Monticello, IA; Rita (John) Cortum of Mediapolis, IA; Mel Schmidt of Dubuque, IA; Darlene (Kevin) Curoe of Bernard, IA; and Dennis (Theresa) Schmidt of Dyersville, IA and son-in-law, Robert Snyder of Cedar Rapids, IA. In addition to her grandchildren (and spouses), great grandchildren (and spouses), and great-great grandchildren she is also survived by 3 sisters-in-law, Erna Schmidt and Lorraine Schmidt of Dubuque, IA and Wilma Poll of Maquoketa, IA and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Elmer, a daughter Madonna Snyder, a grandchild, Lori Ann Schmidt, her brothers, Andy Poll, Raymond Poll and Vincent Poll, sisters Therese Kass and Clara Brietbach, son-in-law, Lawrence Feldmann, daughter-in-law, Lynda Schmidt, and several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Heritage Manor (Hawkeye Care Center) for the loving care given to Catherine - she felt your love and concern as did her family. The family also wishes to thank RiverBend Assisted Living in Cascade and Hospice of Dubuque. We are also grateful to our extended family for all of their visits, cards, and prayers during Catherine's last months. Your love and support did not go unnoticed and the family appreciates each of you.