Arla Mae Schmidt Obituary (1946

Arla M. Schmidt, 71, of Fayette and formerly of Arlington and Independence, died on Friday afternoon, March 31, 2017 at Unity Point Health - Finley Hospital in Dubuque. Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 22, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington with Pastor Margaret Yackel-Juleen officiating. Visitation: The family will greet friends at the church for one hour before the service. Inurnment: Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund has been established for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Arlington is assisting the family. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Condolences may be mailed to the family at 3713 SW 33rd St., Des Moines, IA 50321. Arla Mae Stegen was born on February 9, 1946 at rural Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Arnold & Mabel (Evenson) Stegen. She attended rural school and graduated from Decorah High School in the Class of 1964. Arla worked as a secretary and legal assistant at various places. While working in West Union, Arla met Duane A. Schmidt and they were married in 1970. They raised their children, Ty and Valerie, on their family farm near Arlington. Arla was a homemaker and active in the church. Arla and Duane later divorced. Arla was a longtime member of the Lutheran church. She enjoyed gardening, canning and the animals on the farm. Arla was always close to her family but especially her siblings and cousins. She will always be remembered for her loving and generous heart. Arla is survived by her Son: Ty (Sylvia) Schmidt of Janesville; Daughter: Valerie (Doug) Brooks of Des Moines; 7 Grandchildren: Chelsea, Rory, Logan, Kiersten & Erika Schmidt and Maggie & Jack Brooks; Brother: Arlan Stegen of Cedar Rapids; Sister: LaVonne Bussey of Sacramento, California; Former Husband: Duane Schmidt of Arlington; 2 Sisters-In-Law: Helen Stegen of Waukon & Marlene Welch of Lansing; Brother-In-Law: Dave Christen of Wadena and Many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. Arla is preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers: Kevin and Kenneth in childhood, Lyle & Ronnie, sister: Dorothy Christen, sister-in-law: Lois Stegen and 2 brothers-in-law: Jack Bussey & Jim Kingsley.