DANIEL A. SCHMIDT

Daniel A. Schmidt, age 83 of Cherokee, IA, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Accura Healthcare in Cherokee, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee, IA. Pastor Merritt Demski will officiate. Burial will be held at Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery in Galva, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Military rites will be conducted by the V.F.W. L.A. Wescott Post 2253 and the Cherokee American Legion. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Daniel Albert Schmidt, age 83, of Cherokee, IA, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Accura Nursing Home, Cherokee. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee with Pastor Merritt Demski officiating. Burial will be at the Galva Lutheran Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee.

Daniel Albert Schmidt was born on December 12, 1941 to LuVerne and Minnie (Fritz) Schmidt at their home in rural Holstein. He grew up in Holstein, was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and graduated from Holstein High School in 1961. He and his twin brother, Dave, were known as the "Schmutzy Twins", taking turns pushing each other in their red wagon around town and trading seats in school.

Dan married his best friend, Karen A. Otto, on June 4, 2000 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. They celebrated their 25 years of wedded bliss on June 4, 2025. Dan loved marrying into the "Otto family" and adored his four kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dan and Karen enjoyed attending their grandchildren's school functions and athletics activities. Together they took yearly family vacations and loved snow-birding in the Las Vegas, NV and Arizona areas. They especially enjoyed playing cards with friends!

Throughout his life, Dan was a conscientious, hard worker and held several jobs before beginning his career at Love Tire Shop. Dan retired from Love's after over 30-years of always putting his customers' needs first. After retiring from the tire shop, Dan drove Siouxland Transit bus for several years. He was always so patient with his clients. He was respected and loved by all!

Outside of working, Dan and Karen spent much of their time with family, friends, and their faith community. They loved traveling to support their children and grandchildren in their numerous activities. Countless evenings were spent socializing with friends and relatives at coffee, bingo and playing cards. Dan and Karen were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents LuVerne and Minnie, brothers Jim and Richard Schmidt, and twin brother David.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Karen of Cherokee, Iowa; three sisters-in-law Elaine (Jim) and Kathy (Richard) and Sharilyn Flem; Step children Traci Billings of Omaha, Brian (Lisa) Otto of Denison, Jamie (Shelley) Otto of Bellevue, NE, Daniel Otto of Cherokee; nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.