Last Name Index
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Alice Young Dau-Schmidt Traer, Iowa, USA Brick Section F - Row 23
The family of Vern and Alice Dau Schmidt would like to honor Alice Dau Schmidt by placing a brick in the Carrie Chapman Campaign Plaza of Heroines. Alice was born August 23, 1905 and was raised on a farm near Traer, Iowa. Alice attended Iowa State University from 1924-1927 graduating in Home Economics Education. Alice worked for her room and board and spending money while she attended college. Alice met Vern Dau Schmidt, who graduated from ISU in 1926 in Agriculture Economics and who was an outstanding Cyclone wrestler. He lost in the finals to the Gold Medal winner in the 1928 Olympic tryouts. Vern and Alice were married August 22, 1928. Vern farmed arid Alice was by his side helping. She became a homemaker and eventually a Mother in 1930 with a daughter, Esther, 1933 a son Glenn, 1937 a son Ross, and 1940 a daughter Phyllis. Alice was active in the Tama County Homemakers, a 4-H committee woman for sixteen years and a 4-H judge at many a fair. She helped her four children who were very active in 4-H and taught them many important skills for life. Vern and Alice settled in and were active members of the Amity United Presbyterian Church. Alice sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was a youth fellowship leader. Both Vern and Alice served their church and their Lord. Alice's hands were never idle and still are not today in 1994 at the age of 89. Alice lost her mother when she was eleven years old. With two younger sisters and one younger brother, Alice learned early on how to work and take on the responsibilities of the family. She learned to knit in 6th grade and would knit vests for World War I soldiers while walking to school. Today, she is still knitting caps for new born babies in hospitals. Many Afghans, regular size and baby size were knit arid given to all family members. Alice always had a large garden, preserving the harvest by canning and freezing. She loved God's kingdom, knowledgeable about the birds, trees, plants, and flowers. Influenced by the depression, Alice recycled rather than discarded. She was always constructing and sewing something out of something else. Even at the age of 89 and in a nursing home, Alice is not without her Singer sewing machine. She mends clothing for the patients, quilts baby blankets for the homeless, and sews pillows and wall hangings. Both Vern and Alice traveled a lot. They shared an interest in genealogy, tracing their familles' roots back to Europe. They were also active in the historical society. Even though Alice did not use her formal education from Iowa State University for a job outside of the home, she and many others benefited as Alice has spent her whole life teaching, helping and caring for others. 7/1/96
Narrative Updated: 1/17/1995
Honored By:	Phyllis Dunlap