With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Catherine "Katie" Schmidt of Cedar Rapids, IA.
A life is more than dates on a stone; here is a small portion of her story.
Catherine held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
What Catherine believed shaped how she loved.
Catherine Loretta Schmidt, affectionately known as Katie, 92, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May, 3, 2026, surrounded by her family.Katie was born on May 18, 1933, to Ellen (O’Neil) and James Ryan and was raised in Ryan, Iowa. One of the three youngest in a lively family of nine, she grew up knowing farm life. Upon graduating from Ryan High School, Katie attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, graduating with a degree in nursing, before leading a meaningful career caring for others at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. She was united in marriage to Allen E. “Newt” Schmidt on July 26, 1955, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan, Iowa; the two shared a love of dancing throughout their years together.As Katie and Newt began their life together, they settled on a 160-acre family farm in Watkins, Iowa, where they raised seven children: Tim, Joanne, Ellen, Tom, Regis, Peg, and Suzie. Katie embraced a full and joyful life centered on family, friends, and more than a few competitive nights of cards. Those who knew Katie best knew that she could hold her own (and then some) at the card table, whether in Euchre, Cribbage, Pinochle or Hearts.Katie proudly embraced her rich Irish roots and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Iowa Hawkeyes. She followed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren closely through life’s many milestones, from weddings and sporting events to recitals and everything in between.Katie is survived by her children: Tim (Jean) Schmidt of Van Horne; Joanne Radeke of Keystone; Ellen (Herb) Schulte of Norway; Tom (Janelle) Schmidt of Norway; Regis (Deb) Schmidt of Watkins; Peg (Matthew) Sprengeler of Walford; and her son-in-law, Ray Cook, of Sandy Creek, New York; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and her brothers William (Bob) Ryan of Cedar Rapids and Frank Ryan of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and her sister-in-law Bernadette Ryan, of Ryan.Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Allen E. Schmidt; her daughter, Suzie Cook; and her son-in-law, Steve Radeke; her siblings: Mary V. Arnold, Sister Monica Ryan, Ambrose Ryan, Tom Ryan, Margaret Ryan, and Jim Ryan.A visitation is scheduled at Brosh Funeral Home on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will take place at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with a short visitation at the church from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Patrick & St. Paul Cemetery in Watkins, Iowa, followed by a funeral luncheon at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish Hall in Norway, Iowa.Memorials may be directed to the family.
