Frieda Fay Schmitz

Frieda Fay Schmitz

Manchester

Frieda Fay Schmitz, 82, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Christmas Eve Day, Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at Meth-Wick Woodlands in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was born on January 17, 1942, in Manchester, the daughter of Dr. Orville and Harriet (Holverson) Schmitz. Frieda lived in Manchester with her parents and two sisters, Sharell Ann and Mary Lee. She attended school in Manchester where she was active in marching band, concert band, cheerleading, newspaper, yearbook, and National Honor Society. While in high school, Frieda volunteered for Head Start and at the Good Neighbor Home. Frieda was the only girl in Science Club. After her 1960 graduation from Manchester High School, she enrolled at Wartburg College in Waverly. She eventually earned her undergraduate degree from Central State College in Ohio. She then returned to Iowa and received her master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

During her sophomore year at Wartburg College, Frieda was one of six people from around the country selected for a summer volunteer program as part of the Columbus State School for the disabled. During this experience, she found her work there to be enjoyable in a way quite unlike anything she’d ever done. This was her first experience with special-needs children, whom she would later devote her life to helping.

In 1962, Frieda met her husband, Joe Thomas, at Camp Wildwood, where he was the director of Recreation. They were married in 1966 and were married for thirty years. Frieda never shied away from a challenge and stepped up and became a teacher for the disabled. Her teaching career pushed her into thinking critically to solve problems. She taught at Roosevelt Junior High in Cedar Rapids for many years. She taught special education and won awards for her teaching. She was selected as teacher of the year for the county, state, and for the nation by ARC in 1987. Many students learned to read using her phonetic technique. Frieda retired from teaching in 2001.

After an early retirement at age 59, Frieda enjoyed traveling with her sister, Mary Lee. She built her dream home, “Windsong Place” on top of a hill near Balltown, Iowa. The home’s design made the best use of natural light and provided views of the beautiful rolling landscape outside her windows. Frieda appreciated the beauty of the world in all its forms. She loved nature and wildlife and appreciated people in all their forms. She sought to both receive and provide knowledge and education, and to know not only how things worked, but how they should work.

Survivors include her two sisters, Mary Lee Tripi of California and Sharell Ann Holverson. She is also survived by other family members, Vinnie (Kari) Tripi, Jaden, and Mason Tripi, and Stephen Baum.

Frieda was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Joseph Thomas; brother-in-law, Vincent Tripi, Sr.; and nephew, Joseph Baum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa, with Pastor Carin Bringelson, officiating.

Visitation: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa.

Interment: Cass Township Cemetery, Strawberry Point, Iowa.