Esther Marie Schmitt Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For Esther Marie Schmitt

Esther Schmitt, 96, passed away December 8, 2025, in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, also at the funeral home.

Esther was born on December 1, 1929, in a farmhouse in Graettinger, Iowa to Chris and Anna Christensen. Esther moved to a farm by Ringsted, Iowa when she was 2 years old. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and graduated from Ringsted High School in 1948. Esther continued her education at Iowa Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1952. She spent one year working in San Antonio, Texas before returning to Iowa Lutheran Hospital where she met her husband, Donald Schmitt, who was working as an intern.

Esther and Donald opened a medical practice in 1955 in Kimballton, Iowa, and then moved to Ringsted, Iowa where they practiced medicine until 1962. Their children were born in the early years of their marriage. Esther and Donald moved to Ankeny in 1962 and continued to practice medicine until 1985. Esther worked for many years as a receptionist at East Des Moines Family Care Center. In 2004, they moved to Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

Esther enjoyed going to auctions, antiquing, playing bridge, reading, and embroidering.

Esther is survived by her daughter, Valerie (Ned) Looney; son, Jeffrey Schmitt (Kathy Nebel); grandchildren, Alison Looney (Dan Chibnall) and Carolyn Looney (Matt Johnson); as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Anna; husband, Donald; and brothers, Ervin and Wilbur.

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