Benjamin M. Schmitt

Benjamin Michael Schmitt, age 39, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023. 

Ben was born Feb. 13, 1984, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Julie Hewitt Schmitt and Michael Schmitt.

The family will greet friends, Thursday, June 8, from 5-7 p.m. at The Dock, 500 Main Avenue, Clear Lake.  To honor Ben, it is suggested to come in casual attire. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed in care of Amy Schmitt.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 9, at The Dock, 500 Main Avenue, with Pastor Jason Miller, of Zion Lutheran Church officiating.

On a New Years Eve, Ben’s life would be forever changed when he met his forever love, Amy Reynolds, and on one of their favorite holidays, the 4th of July, under the fireworks they became engaged.  On June 30, 2007, they were united forever in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.  Ben and Amy continued to live and make their home in Clear Lake.  Not knowing their hearts could grow even larger, they were blessed with their two children, Ella and Noah, making him a very proud father which became his second favorite (f) word.

Ben graduated from Clear Lake, the class of 2002, and furthered his education at Kaplan University. In 2018, Ben became a licensed Realtor.

Ben had a love of music and had been blessed with a beautiful voice.  He learned the craft of singing from his Papa Ray and used it as a ministry by serving on worship teams for multiple churches.

Ben had the honor of participating on the 2000 State Championship football team and the relationships he made turned into lifelong friendships. He continued his love for sports learning to hunt, ski, and fish and he was fearless in all his pursuits whether it was plowing down a mountain at 50 mph or showing up when you needed help.  Adventure and excitement always found him. While he loved his hobbies, he also relished his quiet times at their country home, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and the UFC, spending time with extended families in Ft. Myers Beach hunting for shells and ending the day enjoying the sunsets.

Wherever Ben went he brought his smile and he knew people by their hearts and never judged. He related to everyone with his kindness and his spirit of connection, something we should all strive to be better at. Ben was one of those guys that had a gift for making everyone else feel good, even though he wasn’t able to do that for himself.

Ben is survived by his wife, Amy; daughter, Ella (11); son, Noah (8); parents, Julie and Scott Stauffacher and Michael Schmitt; mother and father-in-law, Gary and Barb Reynolds; brother, Andy (Emily) Schmitt; sisters, Amy and Emily Stauffacher; brother-in-law, Andy (Chrissy) Reynolds; nieces and nephews, Wynn and Celia Schmitt, Marcus Ludwig, Addison, Caden, and Brycen Reynolds; grandpa, David Schmitt; grandmother-in-laws, Shirley Reynolds and Donna Cahalan; uncle, Mark (Daina) Hewitt; aunt, Carrie (Paul) Nichols; Stacy (Patt) McDowell; and many cousins and friends. 

  Ben is preceded in death by his infant son, Jonathan; grandparents, Ray and Amy Hewitt; grandma, Lorraine Schmitt; sister, Mara Ludwig; aunts, Victoria VonStein and Lori Gifford; and uncle, Matthew Schmitt. 

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.