Celebration of Life for 89-year-old Elizabeth Schmidt of Audubon will be Saturday, December 9th at 11 am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon with burial in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The family will greet friends Saturday morning from 9:30 until the time of service at the church. Kessler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth Kristina Schmidt, the daughter of Johannes P. and Chrysantha Fern ( Sorensen) Bruun, was born April 8, 1934, in Audubon, Iowa, and died November 22, 2023, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 89 years, 7 months, and 14 days.
Elizabeth was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. She attended the Audubon Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1952. Following her graduation, Elizabeth was employed at the Farmer’s Produce and Hatchery as a bookkeeper.
On June 27, 1953, she was united in marriage to Marvin Dale Schmidt at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They were blessed with two sons Craig and Brian. Liz and Marvin also raised Brandy Schimdt for 13 years while Brandy attended school in Audubon. Elizabeth worked at the Produce for a short time, then was employed as a clerk at the Ben Franklin Store in Audubon. Later she worked for Audubon State Bank in the accounting department and then was a dispatcher for the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department until she retired.
Elizabeth was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Elizabeth was very proud of her Danish Heritage and traveled to Denmark when she was younger on two occasions. She loved to travel and her companion, Ed Testroet, traveled in their motorhome across the United States, even visiting Alaska. Elizabeth was active in the V.F.W. Auxiliary and Ed was the State Commander of the V.F.W. and they enjoyed many trips to attend meetings and visit friends. She enjoyed sewing and knitting and loved to play cards, especially Bridge. Elizabeth loved animals and over the years she had cats, dogs, a monkey, and even a skunk. She enjoyed music and enjoyed playing the piano. For 12 years, she enjoyed spending summer weekends at their Cabin at Lake View. Elizabeth liked to spend time with her group of women, having coffee and enjoying the many places to eat. She was a friend to everyone. She never met a stranger and always had a smile for everyone.
Preceding her in death was her companion Ed Testroet; her parents; and her brother Johannes Vigo Bruun.
Survivors include her sons Craig and Cathy Schmidt of Reed’s Spring, Missouri/ Omaha, Nebraska, Brian Schmidt and Connie McPherson of Audubon, Iowa; her six grandchildren Jenny and Lindsay Smith of Des Moines, Iowa, Clinton and Samantha Schmidt of Andorra, Europe, Chad and Sara Schmidt and Christian and Kristen Schmidt all of Omaha, Nebraska, Cory and Desire Schmidt of Everett, Washington, and Calen and Lynsey Schmidt of Auburn, Nebraska; 18 great-grandchildren and her sister-in-law Boni Larsen of Wisconsin/ Florida; other relatives and friends.
