Rena Sue Schmitz

SCHMITZ HARVEY SALSBERRY DIRCKS HOFFMAN OLSEN

Posted By: diane beier (email)
Date: 4/28/2022 at 17:17:23

Rena Sue Schmitz, 74, of Quasqueton Iowa passed away peacefully on April 8th, 2022.

Rena was born on October 14th, 1947, to Lloyd and Mae Harvey in Knoxville Iowa. She was welcomed by her older sisters Ruth and Dorothy.

Rena graduated from Twin Cedars High School in 1965, after graduation Rena had her eldest son Randy Salsberry, and soon after married and had Jeff, John, and Jolene Dircks.

On October 21, 1978, she was united in marriage to William J. Schmitz, became the stepmother to Steve and Scott and welcomed her second daughter Billie Jo.

Rena was a stay-at-home mom for many years, but always took a job when needed to make ends meet. She later worked as a certified nurses’ aide at a care center and also did home care for several families. She then went on and worked at the Friendly Tavern in Quasqueton Iowa. She ended her career at Four Oaks in Independence Iowa taking care of troubled teens. She served on the Quasqueton Ladies Auxiliary assisting with the Memorial Day Celebration and annual turkey dinner. Anything she did throughout her life always consisted of taking care of people even until the very end. She spent the last 7 months in East Town Care Center in Independence Iowa where she would often tell me she assisted other residents when needed, always putting others above herself.

Rena loved all things outdoors, camping, boating, gardening, and planting flowers in the spring brought her happiness. She also loved playing Euchre, you could find her many Saturdays playing with friends in a tournament. Cooking for her family was one of her gifts, and you could always expect if you showed up announced or unannounced there would always be plenty of food of to go around. She spent many summers trucking pulling with dad on the weekends. A few other of her favorites include dressing up for Halloween, decorating for the holidays, anything patriotic, fashion, her beloved Pomeranian Lili that kept her company for almost 14 years, her Country, and God.

Her greatest joy in life however are her grandchildren. She loved everything they did and was always their biggest fan, whether it was on the soccer field, football field, basketball court, wrestling mat, racetrack, dance recital or concert she was extremely proud of all of them and certainly would tell everyone. Not only was she very supportive of her own grandchildren but all the kids, often referred to as “Crazy Grandma Rena”. The kids always knew where they could find twizzlers, snacks, or just a bit of encouragement.

Rena is survived by her children, Jeff (Kelly) Dircks of Winthrop, Jolene (Tim) Hoffman), and Billie Jo (Cory) Olsen both of Quasqueton. Stepsons Scott and Steve Schmitz of Cedar Rapids as well as many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, her sister Dorothy, and her special niece Connie.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Lloyd and Mae, her husband Bill, her two sons Randy and John, her dear sister Ruth, and many friends. Needless to say, she will not have a shortage of euchre partners.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6 PM on Tuesday April 12, 2022, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Winthrop, IA, with Rev. Kevin Jennings officiating. Burial will be held at the Quasqueton Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held from 3 PM until services on Tuesday.