Virginia Lou Schmidt

Virginia Lou Schmidt was born February 15, 1942 to Pearl (Smith) and Ludwig "Louie" Claus of Manchester. Virginia spent her youth at Manchester, Iowa, graduating High School in 1960. As a girl she liked to read, draw, and sing. Virginia regularly received "I" ratings for solo and ensemble performances at contests. She was a member of the National Honor Society, and graduated 4th in her class of 117. After graduation Virginia, worked in Cedar Rapids for Northwestern Bell Company, and as a waitress in Manchester. In 1962 she started work at The First State Bank in Manchester, where she continued for 21 years. She married Fred Bartz in 1964, then later, she married David C. Schmidt in 1977. They moved to Storm Lake in 1990, where she was employed at the Sugar Bowl Gift Shop, and later Bomgaars, until her retirement. She was an active member at First Lutheran Church in Manchester, and later at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Storm Lake. Virginia was a Charter Member of the Manchester Community Choral Society which presented the "Messiah" every year. She soloed most years for nearly 30 years beginning in 1962, and returned to lend her voice after she moved to Storm Lake. She enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, and her cat "Daily". She was preceded in death by, her parents, brother-in-law Melvin Arnold, husband David in 2002, parents-in-law Elda and Paul Schmidt, brother-in-law Eldon Schmidt, and sister-in-law Alice Schmidt. She is survived by a sister, Alice Arnold of Dubuque, Niece Deb (Steve) Pascoe of Beaver Dam, WI, Nephews Mark (Donita) Arnold of Dubuque, and Brian (Annette) Arnold of Dubuque, brother-in-law Gordon Schmidt, sister-in-law Marvelyn Davis, along with other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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