Helen Schmidt, 94, of Grinnell, passed away Jan. 21, 2026. Funeral ser-vices were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 26, at Sully Community Church. Memorials may be given to East Iowa Bible Camp or Sully Community Church Missions.
Helen Jean Schmidt was born Oct. 29, 1931, to Cornelius and Mary (Ver Steegt) Vander Leest in rural Monroe.
June 16, 1953, she was united in marriage to Freddie Schmidt in Sully. Helen accepted the Lord at an early age and was a member of Sully Community Church where she served many roles over the years. She taught Sunday school for more than 50 years, participated in church plays, and was a member of the Women’s Christian Fellowship.
Helen’s daughters have so many fond memories of their mother! She was supportive, sacrificial, loved to laugh, a fantastic storyteller, and had a wonderful sense of humor! Helen loved sports, especially the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Lynnville-Sully. She was also an active member of the Lynnville-Sully Music Boosters Club for many years.
Those left to cherish her memory include Fred her husband of 72 years and their family: Jacqueline Sue Van Wyk, Jocelyn (Steve) Beyer, Jerilyn (Dwight) Van Weelden, Joelyn (Andy) Hutchins, Janna (Jim) Goodrich, and Janel (Mike) Hay; and she loved and delighted in her 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; great-granddaughter Hosannah Goodrich; grandson-in-law Steve Squires; and all her siblings: Dorothy (Everett) Lane, Vernon (Janice) Vander Leest, Verlan Vander Leest died at birth, Evelyn (Ron) Roll, Robert (Doris) Vander Leest, Viola died as a toddler; and her half-siblings: Geraldine died at birth, Gertrude (Neal) Ver Steegt, Cora (Gerrit) Van Wyk, Walter (Irene) Vander Leest, James (Artie) Vander Leest, Wilma (Bill) Van Genderen, Cliff (Ruth) Vander Leest, and Lester Vander Leest.
