Ellen Schmidt

Ellen J. Schmidt, 98 of Sioux City, Iowa passed away on February 20, 2024 at a local care facility.  There will be a private celebration of life for family and friends at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Homes of Sioux City.   

Ellen Jensen Schmidt was born on January 19, 1926 in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Jens and Jensine (aka Bothilde) Jensen.  Ellen spent her earliest years in Omaha before the family moved to Rodney, Iowa.  She spent the remainder of her childhood on the family farm in Rodney, graduating from Smithland High School in 1944 with further education at National Business Training School in Sioux City.  On January 25, 1947, she married Dwain Schmidt and the new couple made their home in Sioux City.

Ellen worked for Securities Acceptance Corp and Remington Rand Office Machines, later becoming a full-time homemaker to care for her two children.  In later years, she returned to work for the Container Corp. of America, retiring in 1983.   She and her husband subsequently returned to the family farm in Rodney.  She enjoyed knitting and crafts, exploring her Danish heritage (including two trips to Denmark) and becoming involved with local museums.  Since her husband was an avid gardener, she also became (of necessity) an accomplished garden processor, freezing and canning food for the entire family.  She enjoyed family visits and meeting friends at Timber Ridge on a regular basis for breakfast.  In 2018, she and her husband sold the Rodney farm and moved to Whispering Creek Senior Living in Sioux City, where they enjoyed the company of new friends.  

Ellen is survived by her two sons, Paul (Cindy) Schmidt of Okee, Wisconsin and Dean (Cathy Winch) Schmidt of Cedar Rapids, two grandchildren (Poul Adam Schmidt and Nicole Bareis) and three great grandchildren (Calvin Bareis, Brinley Schmidt and Brayden Schmidt).

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dwain.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Ellen Jensen Schmidt, please visit the Christy-Smith web site at www.christysmith.com.