Darl M. Schmidt

Darl M. Schmidt, 94, of Garner, passed away Monday, June 2, 2025, at his home.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2025, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Fr. Andrew Marr officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church with a parish rosary at 3:30 p.m., followed by a Scriptural wake service.

Darl Michael Schmidt, the son of Leo and Rose (Roach) Schmidt, was born November 11, 1930, in Mason City. He grew up in Garner and graduated from Garner High School in 1948, after which he helped his father in the family carpentry business. Darl proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a member of the Sea Bees, contributing to the efforts of the Mobile Construction Battalion #2 across various Pacific islands, including Midway, Guam, and the Philippines. Following his honorable discharge, Darl returned to Garner, where he married the love of his life, Darlene Peck, on October 24, 1957, at St. James Catholic Church in Forest City. Together, they made their home in the house Darl built in 1956 and raised their six children. He dedicated 38 years of his career to Armour in Mason City and later enjoyed working alongside his son and grandson in their construction business after retiring. Darl cherished time spent with his family, attending their many activities, and found joy in fishing, and playing cards. He was a passionate supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers.

He was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and the Garner VFW, as well as being a member of the Catholic Foresters.

Darl is survived by his wife of 67 years, Darlene; six children, Tammy (Russell) Schmidt of Garner, Charles (Brenda) Schmidt of Garner, Sherri (Brian) Kraus of Le Mars, Brenda (Wendell) Davison of Garner, Timothy (Laura) Schmidt of Garner and Elisabeth (Travis) Hawe of Garner; grandchildren, Adam (Sherri) Schmidt, Sarah (Lee) Dodge, Brandon (Katie) Schmidt, Kacie (Brandon) Allen, Jamie (Jase) Thompson, Cody (Megan) Schmidt, Jena Kraus, Jesse (Michelle) Kraus, Breanne Kraus (fiancé, Jared Cottrell), Andrew (Lauren) Davison, Collin (Kristin) Davison, Ryan (Kristen) Davison, McKinley Hawe (fiancée, Erin McElligott), Dalton (Nora) Hawe, Aiden Hawe, Zane Hawe, Jeremy Maben and Jenna (James) DeFazio; great grandchildren, Mitchell, and Madison Bower, Peyton Schmidt, Aaliyah and Parker Dodge, Brantley and Wyatt Schmidt, Aubrey and Kaydon Allen, Rhian and Jett Thompson, Maisa, Kiylee and Cain Schmidt, Preston, Kennedy, Kaleb Davison, Drake and Caden Davison, Kenzie and Carson Davison, Avila Hawe, and Caleb, Elijah and Evelyn DeFazio; a sister-in-law, Lucille Schmidt; a brother-in-law, Donald Peck; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, William and Gertie Peck; brothers, Roland and Gerald (Rosella) Schmidt; and his in-laws, Evelyn (Hank) Brower, Ethel (Jake) Lewerke, Gladys (Eldon) Waldschmidt, Edna (Clyde) Tannahill, Glen (Ann) Peck, Willard Peck, Arlene Peck, Violet (Ralph) Jorgensen, Wilbur (Adeline) Peck and Sharon (Valentine) Trask.