Gerald R. Schmidt, 77, of Grinnell, died Wednesday, September 7th, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A funeral mass for Gerald Schmidt will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with interment at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Visitation hours will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the family present to greet friends from 4 ' 7 p.m. on Sunday evening. A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday with a vigil service to be held at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Mary's Catholic Church or to Grinnell Regional Blueprint for Health. Gerald was born the son of Amelia Schmidt Johnson on April 17, 1928, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was raised near Lakeville, Minnesota and educated at rural schools. He entered the United States Navy at the age of seventeen and was honorably discharged in August of 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He continued to serve in the United States Naval Reserves until 1954. Gerald was united in marriage to Patsy Dempsey on June 25, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, Minnesota. To this union were born their children, Scott, Wendy, Lori and Stacie. The couple resided in Waseca, where Gerald was worked as a plumber until November of 1955. He then rejoined AT&T and worked as a cable splicer. The couple moved to Grinnell in 1961 and he continued to work for AT&T on the Mitchellville - Coralville communication line. Gerald was one who could always make you feel welcome. His family described him as someone who would do anything for anyone. He was an avid pheasant hunter and was a handyman who would find a way to fix just about anything. The couple enjoyed playing cards together and being with their family. He loved to watch sporting events and his children stated the only channel allowed on TV was the one showing the Vikings, the Cubs, or the Twins. Gerald is survived by his wife Pat of Grinnell, his son, Scott (Laurie) Schmidt of Grinnell; his daughters, Lori Schmidt of Grinnell, and Stacie Schmidt of Grinnell; three grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Wendy in 1983.