John M. Smidt

John M. Smidt, 91, of Buffalo Center, formerly of Woden and Burt, passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Kalona, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 25th, at First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center with Rev. Sue Shike officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Buffalo Center Veterans Ceremonial Unit at the church. Inurnment will be at Woden Christian Reformed Cemetery on Tuesday.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 310 Main St., Woden and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

John Meindert Smidt, the son of Meindert and Almina (De Wall) Smidt, was born on March 2, 1934, in Titonka. He graduated from Woden High School in 1951. After graduation, he worked on the family farm and hauled milk. John served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Woden and married Jean Hillenga on August 8, 1958, at Woden Christian Reformed Church. Together, they farmed north of Woden before moving to a farm near Burt in 1964. John’s diverse working career included driving school bus, delivering mail, and hauling for Pioneer Seed Company. In 1984, John and Jean moved back to Woden. After the passing of his beloved wife, Jean, in 2004, John found companionship with Arliss Ullmann, with whom he shared 20 joyful years. John farmed until he was 78 years old and drove school bus for North Iowa Community Schools until 2024. John was a talented fast-pitch softball pitcher for both church and town teams until the age of 54. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and participating in a vocal quartet throughout the years. One of his greatest joys was watching his children play sports. His continued enjoyment was watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports and various activities. John was also an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He was a member of First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center and a past member of Woden Christian Reformed Church. John accepted Jesus as his Savior in September of 2024. He also belonged to the Burt and Buffalo Center VFW.

John is survived by his two children, DeAnna (Michael) Taylor of Cherokee and Alan (Teresa) Smidt of Kalona; his special friend, Arliss Ullmann of Buffalo Center; 14 grandchildren, Amanda, (Chris) Christensen, Patricia (Brian) Gobrecht, Jordan (Katelyn) Taylor and Ryan (Stephanie) Smidt, Sandra (Nate) Beenken, Julianne (Corwin) Good, Tyler (Lisa) Smidt, Kyle (Laura) Smidt, Emily Smidt, Allison Smidt, Nathan (Regina) Smidt, Megan Smidt, Grace Smidt and Sophia Smidt; 35 great grandchildren, Taylor, Kylie, Aurora, Lola, Adair; Claire, Oliver; Annie, Drew, Johnny; Mercy, Bayley, Hudson, Gavin, Lydia; Elizabeth, Miriam, Isaac, Noah, Naomi, Chloe, Hannah, Phoebe, Esther, Abigail, Lydia; Natalie, Amos, Joseph; Steven, Seth, Ethan, Elias; Felicity, Oliver; and #35 on the way; a sister, Grace Barnes of Coralville; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Smidt, Kay Hunter and Doris Haugland; brothers-in-law, Ed (Vicki) Hillenga and Dean (Suzanne) Hillenga; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; his parents; an infant son, Alan John Smidt; parents-in-law, Ed and Erna Hillenga; sister-in-law, Carol Clendenen; and brothers-in-law, Goody Bergerud and Dean Haugland.