Marianina Schmitz

Marianina “Nina” Alice Schmitz, age, 70, of Kesley, Iowa, was born the daughter of Dominick & Alice Marie (Powell) Santi on June 4, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa. Nina graduated from North Polk High School in 1969. She then attended and graduated from University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1973.
 On January 20, 1973, Nina was united in marriage with Terrence “Terry” Lee Patrick Schmitz at St. Stephen’s Chapel on the UNI Campus in Cedar Falls. They made their home west of Cedar Falls while Nina was finishing college. The couple moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where they both worked at Jerry Rabiner’s Boy’s Ranch for six months. They then moved to Brooklyn, Iowa, for six years where Nina taught at the high school. In 1979, Nina and Terry moved to Toledo, Iowa. In the summer of 1993, Nina’s teaching job brought them to Parkersburg and they subsequently moved to Kesley in the summer of 1999. Nina taught high school English, yearbook, TAG and helped with drama. She worked at Aplington-Parkersburg schools until she retired in 2016.
Nina was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ackley, Iowa. Nina stayed busy raising two of her grandchildren. Nina loved strawberries – eating them and growing them. She enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens, reading and fishing with Terry. Nina loved spending time with her three grandchildren.
Nina died Sunday, January 2, 2022, surrounded by her family at her son’s home in Dexter, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Terry, in 2007; and her parents, Dominick and Alice Santi.
Nina is survived by three children, Lisa Schmitz of Oregon, Lyle (Jennifer) Schmitz of Dexter and Teresa Schmitz of Aplington, Iowa; three grandchildren, Samantha, Allison and Isabelle; and one brother, John (Ann) Santi of Sevierville, Tennessee.
Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ackley, Iowa. Father Kevin Earleywine officiated the service. Lector was Jodi Uthe. Cantor was Julie Wojick and was accompanied by Pam Griffle. The congregation sang, “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Prayer of Saint Francis”, “You Are Mine”, “Song of Farewell” and “We Walk By Faith”. Burial was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Ackley with John Santi, Teresa Schmitz, Brenda Thede, Jeremy Thede, Connie Duling, and Carl Duling serving as Casketbearers. Honorary Casketbearers were Lyle Schmitz, Michael Schmitz, and Gene Pint.
Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Redman Funeral & Cremation Services in Parkersburg and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family. Redman Funeral & Cremation Services in Parkersburg was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com