Ruben Schmidt

Ruben Otto "Schmidty" Schmidt, 87, widower of Janette Schmidt, passed away April 9, 2011 in Kruse Memorial Lutheran Village. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2011 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top, with Pastor John David Nedbolek officiating. Burial will take place at 5:00 p.m. in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. The family will receive friends and relatives Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Mr. Schmidt was born in Round Top on January 24, 1924 to Felix and Ella Wolff Schmidt. He was baptized April 21, 1924 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Round Top by Rev. A. H. Falkenberg, and confirmed October 6, 1940 in the same church by Pastor W. Kralik. Losing his father at an early age, he worked during his youth to help provide for his family. Entering the armed forces , he attained the rank of Pfc-Corporal, and served his country in the U. S. Marine Corps, Platoon 253 from March 10, 1944 until July 27, 1946. He was a veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Day 1 Assault, in the first wave of the Marine invasion. Asked how he kept from being hit by enemy fire, he replied: "Just lucky!" He served in the 5th Joint Assault Signal Co. as a Communications Runner during this battle, and was witness to the historic raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. On December 20, 1947, he was married to Janette Schoenberg in Carmine by Rev. Leo Simon. Ruben loved the Round Top area, ranching and raising Charolais cattle. He was an excellent welder, and was active in the American Legion and Young Farmers Association. A favorite pastime in later years was playing dominoes, the slots and trying his luck with scratch-off lottery tickets. Survivors include a brother, Marvin Schmidt and wife, Mary; sisters-in-law Mabel Schmidt, Pearlie Jaster, Idell Kraus, and Willie Mae Lueckemeyer and husband Odell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janette Schmidt, his parents; brother Nolan Schmidt; brothers-in-law Elvis Jaster, Elvis "Pete" Kraus; nephews Jerry Schmidt and John David Lueckemeyer. Serving as pallbearers are Buck Williams, Ken Hargett, Michael Sacks, and Gaylon Mueller. Memorials may be directed to Round Top Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Round Top, or to Hospice Brazos Valley. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. 979836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.