Services
Obituary
Deacon Nicholaus “Nick” Schmit, 90, of Belmond passed away Sunday, March 17, 2013, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Nick Schmit will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at 10:30 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1207 3rd Street North East, in Belmond with Archbishop Jerome Hanus officiating.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 4:00 and a Scriptural Wake Service beginning at 6:30 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1207 3rd Street North East, in Belmond. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Nicholaus Sylvester, the son of Nicholaus and Elizabeth (Olinger) Schmit was born February 13, 1923 in Osmond, Nebraska. Nick was one of 13 children.
Nick graduated from Atkinson High School in Nebraska before attending Wayne State College, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1950. He later spent his summers earning his Master’s Degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado.
Nick served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Mississippi during World War II, where he was a fire control man and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Nick was united in marriage to Patricia Prawit on August 25, 1949. To this union, eight children were born.
Nick held various teaching positions, beginning at Chambers, Nebraska, followed by Ord, Nebraska, Lamar Community College in Lamar, Colorado, and at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. He left teaching for about a year before returning to teach in Michigan and Council Bluffs.
Nick later ran a home fire safety business for 14 years before returning to teaching full-time in Belmond in 1978, where he taught Industrial Arts until his retirement in 1990.
Building on his lifelong hobby of wood working, upon his retirement from teaching, Nick ran a cabinet shop on Main Street in Belmond for about 5 years. Nick also enjoyed golfing, skiing, walking, playing bridge, and stopping by Mark’s construction sites.
Nick was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, and was ordained as a Deacon in the church in 1984, and served at many Masses and funerals. In this capacity, he taught baptism classes for new parents, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also was a member of the VFW.
Nick is survived by his wife, Pat, of Belmond; children, Nicholette (Lee) Barbee of Denver, Colorado, David Schmit of Chicago, Illinois, Jane (Jim) Kennedy of Lone Jack, Missouri, Paula Schmit of Little Falls, Minnesota, Jill (Brian) Hall of Ooltewah, Tennessee, Virginia (Rick) Anderson of Boone, Sue (Brian) Symens of Hampton, and Mark (Stephanie) Schmit of Belmond; thirteen grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters Betty, Catherine, Leona and Eleanor; brothers John, Richard, George, and Ben; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Nick was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Ann and Rosemary, and brothers Clarence, Mike, and Raymond.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.