Brian "Butch" Schmitz
February 13, 1973 — December 2, 2024
Brian Anthony Schmitz was born on February 13th, 1973 in Harlan, Iowa to Marvin and Joan (Petsche) Schmitz. He attended grade school and high school at Harlan Community Schools graduating in 1991. Brian grew up on an acreage outside of Harlan with his mom, dad, two brothers and two sisters. Growing up Brian spent time trapping and hunting with his dad and brothers. Throughout the years Brian built lifelong relationships with many friends who were very special to him.
Brian found the love of his life when he met Gina Schaben in 1996. On September 5, 1998 Brian and Gina united in marriage at St. Peters Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. From this marriage, two children were born, Deren Dennis Schmitz in 2000 followed by Gunner Marvin Schmitz in 2004.
After graduating from high school, Brian worked for Norman Schmitz on his farm for five years. Brian then worked for Schechinger Farms for 28 years. Recently, Brian was working for Clean Air in Defiance, Iowa. He was also previously a member of the Westphalia Volunteer Fire Department.
Brian loved the outdoors. His favorites were fishing and hunting…, especially watching his shorthair dogs hunt pheasants. While Brian loved doing all of these by himself, he loved nothing more than doing it with family and friends. You could always find him in a treestand or on his boat. Another one of Brian’s passions was smoking and cooking various meals for friends and family. As his children grew, he loved attending their school activities, especially the many football games through out the years.
When Brian entered the room his presence was hard to ignore. His deep, rumbling laugh was so infectious, it was impossible not to join in.
Brian recently was preparing for his favorite adventure yet of being grandpa to his first grandchild arriving in April.
Brian passed away peacefully on December 2nd, 2024 at his home in Kirkman, IA. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Dennis (Clem) Schaben, his maternal grandparents, Lawerence and Helen Petsche, and paternal grandparents, Nick and Sally Schmitz.
He is survived by his wife Gina Schmitz of Kirkman, IA; his children, Deren (Delaney) Schmitz of Harlan, IA, Gunner Schmitz (Special Friend Emma Reisz) of Casey, IA; his parents, Marvin and Joan Schmitz of Harlan, Iowa; his four siblings, Steve Schmitz of Westphalia IA, Julie (Joe) Sattler of Cedar Rapids, IA, Amy (Tom) Coseo of Milliken, CO, and Nick Schmitz of Carroll, IA; 17 nieces and nephews; 10 great nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Brian found the love of his life when he met Gina Schaben in 1996. On September 5, 1998 Brian and Gina united in marriage at St. Peters Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. From this marriage, two children were born, Deren Dennis Schmitz in 2000 followed by Gunner Marvin Schmitz in 2004.
After graduating from high school, Brian worked for Norman Schmitz on his farm for five years. Brian then worked for Schechinger Farms for 28 years. Recently, Brian was working for Clean Air in Defiance, Iowa. He was also previously a member of the Westphalia Volunteer Fire Department.
Brian loved the outdoors. His favorites were fishing and hunting…, especially watching his shorthair dogs hunt pheasants. While Brian loved doing all of these by himself, he loved nothing more than doing it with family and friends. You could always find him in a treestand or on his boat. Another one of Brian’s passions was smoking and cooking various meals for friends and family. As his children grew, he loved attending their school activities, especially the many football games through out the years.
When Brian entered the room his presence was hard to ignore. His deep, rumbling laugh was so infectious, it was impossible not to join in.
Brian recently was preparing for his favorite adventure yet of being grandpa to his first grandchild arriving in April.
Brian passed away peacefully on December 2nd, 2024 at his home in Kirkman, IA. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Dennis (Clem) Schaben, his maternal grandparents, Lawerence and Helen Petsche, and paternal grandparents, Nick and Sally Schmitz.
He is survived by his wife Gina Schmitz of Kirkman, IA; his children, Deren (Delaney) Schmitz of Harlan, IA, Gunner Schmitz (Special Friend Emma Reisz) of Casey, IA; his parents, Marvin and Joan Schmitz of Harlan, Iowa; his four siblings, Steve Schmitz of Westphalia IA, Julie (Joe) Sattler of Cedar Rapids, IA, Amy (Tom) Coseo of Milliken, CO, and Nick Schmitz of Carroll, IA; 17 nieces and nephews; 10 great nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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