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Donald Dean Schmitt

July 24, 1925 - August 25, 2017

Donald Dean Schmitt, 92, of Pleasant Hill passed away August 25, 2017 surrounded by his family at Iowa Lutheran Hospital.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, in Ankeny (914 NW Ash Dr.). A visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 29th, also at the church.
Don was born July 24, 1925 in Colfax, Iowa. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1943, and enlisted in the US Army. He served his country during World War II for 2 years with the 515th Parachute Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division, and 13th Airborne Division. He received battle stars for Battle of the Bulge and Central European Campaign.
Following the war, he returned home, and enrolled at The University of Iowa to pursue a degree in medicine. He then interned at Iowa Lutheran Hospital from 1954 to 1955, where he met Esther Christensen, who became his wife. They opened a medical practice in Kimballton, Iowa in 1955, and then moved to Ringsted, Iowa where they practiced medicine until 1962. Their children were born in the early years of their marriage. They then moved to Ankeny in 1962, and practiced medicine until 1985. He and Esther then moved to Pleasant Hill in 2004.
He enjoyed crossword puzzles, going to auctions, antiquing, playing bridge, and being an active member of Resurrection Lutheran Church.
Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Esther; daughter, Valerie (Ned) Looney; son, Jeffrey Schmitt (Kathy Nebel); grandchildren, Alison Looney (Dan Chibnall) and Carolyn Looney (Matt Johnson); a brother, Bob Schmitt; nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Resurrection Lutheran Church, or Hope Ministries.