Douglas Neil Schmidt

January 29, 1962 - May 6, 2022

Douglas Neil Schmidt, age 60, of Schaller, Iowa died Friday, May 6, 2022 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa. Memorial services will take place Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller, Iowa. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, May 16, 2022 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in SCHALLER. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of arrangements. Douglas Neil Schmidt was born on January 29, 1962 to Neil and Ruth (Weise) Schmidt in Storm Lake, Iowa. Doug had a strong Catholic faith his entire life. He grew up attending school in Schaller, Iowa and graduated in 1980. Doug entered the United States Army on October 27, 1981. During his service career, he became an Army Ranger and retired as an Army Green Beret. Doug served as a Special Forces Delta Medic, a HALO Instructor, a Freefall Jumpmaster, Master Static Line Jumpmaster, and a Paratrooper. He served his country in Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort in Kurdistan, follow on Provide Comfort Mission ll and lll in Turkey, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also did rotations in Bosnia, Kuwait, Herzegovina and Kosovo. He retired honorably in 2003 after over 21 years of service as a Sergeant First Class. During Doug’s military career, he earned the following: Kuwait Liberation Medal (KU), Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal (2nd Award), Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist badge with Combat Distinguishing Device, 1 Bronze Service Star, Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Badge, and the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge. In addition to his many accomplishments, Doug was also fluent in Russian and German. Doug married the love of his life, Shannan, on October 7, 2017. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and archery. You could find him sitting on his front porch, traveling dirt roads and hunting asparagus in his free time. Doug was an avid gardener. More than anything, Doug treasured his time with family and friends. He could always be found cheering on his grandkids at their sporting events. Doug will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Doug is survived by his wife, Shannan; mother: Ruth (Weise) Schmidt; children: Kayle (Emmanuel) Wilds of Eagle Mountain, Utah; Ashley (Nicholas) Genes of Eagle Mountain, Utah; Kennedy (Thomas) Sibbitt of Omaha, Nebraska; Carter Bragg of Schaller, Iowa; brother: Alan Schmidt; David (Tami) Schmidt; grandchildren: Mason Schmidt, Takoda Webb; Atlas and Nova Wilds; Jacob and Josephine Genes; Elva and Opal Sibbitt; and numerous extended family and friends. Doug is preceded in death by his father, Neil Schmidt, and his sister, Wenda.