Ardo Arthur Schmidt

Ardo Arthur Schmidt, age 87, of Preston, Iowa passed away peacefully Saturday, January 13, 2024 at The Alverno Care Center, Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Mass will be held 11am Saturday, January 20, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Preston with burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Preston. Visitation will be held 4 – 7pm Friday, January 19, 2024, and one hour prior to the Mass, at the Church. A memorial has been established.

Ardo embodied the same spirit of the Iowa countryside that he worked and lived in. He was hard-working, sincere, humble and could talk to just about anybody. Ardo was fortunate to have a good partnership with his wife Jan, lots of grandkids around, and work that gave him the ability to let his talents flourish. Ardo Schmidt Construction helped build the Preston Golf Course, along with three other courses in the state. They also built the first triple-lane boat ramp in Iowa, located near Lansing, on the Mississippi River. Ardo was happiest though when he could work locally, excavating and tiling, serving his community and friends.

He was born May 2, 1936 near Spragueville, Iowa. He attended Fairfield Country School, then served in the Army stationed in California and mostly in Alaska. He returned home to farm, helping family and working at the quarry. He also worked for Gene Gerlach in the winter and then for Vince Thiede Construction. Ardo was driving his 56 Chevy and met the love of his life, Janet Medinger. On September 23, 1961, they were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They raised four children, Lori, Rick, Kurt and Bryce, and celebrated 62 years of marriage.

After marriage, Ardo and Jan lived in town and started a construction business in 1962, Ardo Schmidt Construction. In 1978, they bought a farm and moved to the country. Both businesses remain in the family today. He never officially retired, he was not quitting, “He’d still be working if he could.” He really enjoyed coming up with simple solutions to complex jobs. He was innovative and could make any tool or attachment he needed.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Preston American Legion, The Preston Amvets, the Preston Volunteer Fire Department and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa. He loved talking and spending time with friends. Some of the guys even called him a 2nd dad as he always had good advice. Most of all, he was proud of his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He was happiest when the grandkids were around.

Ardo will be dearly missed by his wife, Jan of Preston; three children, Rick (Kathy) Schmidt of Maquoketa, Kurt (Ann) Schmidt of Kansas City, Missouri, and Bryce (Jill) Schmidt of Asbury, Iowa; a son-in-law, Jeff Hoffmann of Preston; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four siblings, Karen (Bill) Kilburg of Maquoketa, Lyle (Pat) Schmidt of Preston, Eldon (Valerie) Schmidt of Bellevue and Leon (Deb) Schmidt of Clinton; and a brother-in-law, John Kilburg of Bellevue. Ardo is preceded in death by his daughter, Lori; two siblings, Allan Schmidt and Sharel Kilburg; and both parents.