Catherine Ann Schmidt

     Catherine Ann Schmidt, the daughter of Chris and Miah (Petersen) Back was born September 5, 1929, in Exira, Iowa and died March 9, 2024, at the Exira Care Center at the age of 94 years, 6 months, and 4 days.

     Catherine was baptized and confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. She attended the Exira Community Schools and graduated from the Exira High School. Following graduation, she studied at the Iowa Teacher’s College during the summer. Catherine taught rural school, Oakfield No. 1. for 3 years.

     On February 18, 1951, she was united in marriage to Hal Joseph Haner at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church, west of Brayton, Iowa. They were blessed with three children Barbara, Dale, and Christopher. Catherine spent time caring for her family and then worked as a bookkeeper at NAPA for over 10 years. She was involved with her children’s many activities as a 4-H leader, a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, a Cub Scout Den Mother, a member of the County Youth Committee, and Audubon County Travelers. Hal died April 11, 1975. Catherine later married Emmert Schmidt on April 8, 1978 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They enjoyed traveling and were members of the Audubon County Travelers Camping Club where she served in several officer capacities. They spent many enjoyable winters in Weslaco, Texas. Emmert died April 21, 1999.  

     Catherine was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. She was active in the church circle and the Monday morning Bible Study. Catherine was a member of the Garden Club and the Audubon and Weslaco Red Hats Clubs. Catherine continued to winter in Weslaco, Texas and traveled throughout the United States. She had many interests and enjoyed sewing, painting, and also taking art classes. 

     Preceding her in death were her husbands Hal Haner and Emmert Schmidt; her son-in-law Wayne Madsen; her step daughter-in-law Danette Schmidt; her parents Chris and Miah Back; her sister Alice and husband Marvin Kyndesen, her brother Donavon and wife Julien Back; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Royal and Esther Haner; and her brother-in-law Herb Hansen.

     Survivors include her children Barb Madsen and Joel Purtle of Green Valley, Arizona, Dale Haner and Cathie Grover of Audubon, Iowa, and Chris and wife Beth Haner of Bouton, Iowa;  her grandchildren Wendi Madsen of Tucson, Arizona, Robin Madsen of Waukee, Iowa, Mark  and Keri Smith of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Cody and Lindsey Haner of Omaha, Nebraska, Katie Haner of West Des Moines, Iowa; Kyle and Becca Haner of Madrid, Iowa, Kaleb and Megan Haner of Windsor Heights, Iowa; her step children Glenda and husband Giff Gardner of Aurora, Colorado, James and Maria Schmidt of Las Vegas, Nevada; her step grandchildren Tracey and Mark Phillips of Hendersen, Nevada, Matt Schmidt of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jake and Teresa Schmidt of  Las Vegas, Nevada, Crystal and David Moses of Norman, Oklahoma, Autumn Grover and Scott Hitsenberger of Dallas, Texas; several cherished great grandchildren; her sister-in-law Gloria Hansen of Exira, Iowa,; her brother-in-law David and wife Shirley Haner of Beatrice, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. The family will greet friends Saturday afternoon, June 8, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church followed by a time for refreshments at the Old Park Hotel, before the inurnment at the Oak Hill Cemetery west of Brayton, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Wendi Madsen, Robin Madsen, Katie Haner, Kyle Haner, Kaleb Haner, Mark Smith, Cody Haner, Tracey Phillips, Matt Schmidt, and Jake Schmidt.