Shirley Schmidt, 89, of Baxter, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at MercyOne Hospital in Newton, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Izaak Walton Club House, 889 Hwy. F36, Newton, Iowa 50208. A private family burial will take place at St. John's Cemetery in rural Newton. 

Shirley was born on March 14, 1937, in rural Jasper County, Iowa, to Howard and Gladys (McCausland) Scarbrough. She was raised on the family farm outside of Kellogg, where she attended a country school before graduating from Newton High School with the Class of 1955. Following graduation, Shirley began working in the office at Maytag. On March 15, 1958, she married the love of her life, Art Schmidt, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Together they built a life on their family farm north of Newton, where Shirley embraced the role of devoted farm wife. She worked alongside Art in the fields, maintained a large garden, milked cows, raised pigs and chickens, and, most importantly, devoted herself to raising their family.

As her children grew older, Shirley returned to work, first at the Maytag Dairy and later at what is now Valley Vista Care Center in Newton. She began as a bath aide before finding her true calling as the activities director, where her compassion, creativity, and genuine love for people brightened the lives of countless residents.

Shirley was a member of the neighborhood Mother's Club and treasured the friendships she made through the years.

She will be remembered for her generous heart, selfless spirit, and unwavering dedication to caring for others. Shirley found joy in spending time with her family, tending her garden, preserving its bounty through canning, sharing coffee with friends, and offering a helping hand to anyone in need. Whether caring for loved ones, neighbors, or strangers, Shirley's kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters Jo "JoAnn" (Dave Little) Johnson and Phyllis Twaddle; daughter-in-law Barb Schmidt; grandchildren Mindy (Marty Parks) Johnson, Michael Johnson, Josh (Danella) Twaddle, Jaci Twaddle, Randy Schmidt, and Brandon Schmidt; great-grandsons Jacob Andrews and Kyler Johnson; sister-in-law Marjorie Schmidt; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Gladys Scarbrough; her beloved husband, Art Schmidt; her son, Gordon Schmidt; and her siblings, Bert (Glenda) Scarbrough, Elaine (Austin) Eytchison, Evelyn (Pat) Patterson, Jean (Roy) Meyer, and Donna (Dick) Star.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Newton Healthcare Center in Shirley's memory.

Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Shirley and her family.