Gerald "Jerry" Charles Schmidt, 77, of Waterloo, IA passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at his home surrounded by family and friends under hospice care after a long hospital battle. Gerald was born in Caledonia, MN on October 28, 1946, his family then moved to Rushford, MN in 1958, where he lived until he was drafted.

Gerald was drafted into the United States Army and was a Veteran of the Vietnam War (66-67). After returning home, he moved to Waterloo and joined the Waterloo Fire Department where he worked for 33 years (Feb 1969 – October 2001). The first several years he was an EMT/driver on the ambulance and then switched over as a Firefighter/driver. In 2008, he moved to Kansas City, MO and then moved back to Waterloo, IA in 2016.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Melvin "Bud" and Dolores (Bolduan) Schmidt; his sister, Jo Ann Rislove; brother, Richard Schmidt; son-in-law, Paul Campbell; nephew, Aaron Schmidt; and second wife, Deloris Schmidt.

Gerald is survived by current wife, Sandra Schmidt; children Staci Campbell, Scott (Shelly) Schmidt, and Josh (Terra) Schmidt; his sister, Jan Deen (Mitch) Bublitz; sister-in-law Amy Schmidt; brother-in-law Doug Rislove; first wife Pam (Jim Simbro) Seemann; his step-children Ann (Tomas) Padron, Jerry Wayne Fitts, Dennis Hanson Jr., Denise (Tracy) Bertch, Jennifer (James) Cook, Amanda (Mike Beninga) Read, Sarah Quesnell, and Rebecca (Kris Berklund) Quesnell; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

He loved his family, friends, dogs, fishing, NASCAR, almost any sporting event both live and broadcast, and making people laugh. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.

Fire Department honors provided by the Waterloo Fire Department will take place at 11:30 a.m. followed by a time of sharing which family and friends are encouraged to share memories of Gerald on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Locke at Tower Park-4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo. Family will receive friends one hour prior. Inurnment will take place in Preston, MN, in Summer 2024 with military honors.

In lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation in Gerald's name to: Cedar Bend Humane Society, https://www.cedarbendhumane.org/donation, Cedar Valley Honor Flight, https://www.honorflight.org/donate, Cedar Valley Youth Sports Association, PO Box 1765, Waterloo, IA 50704, and Waterloo Fire Safety and Outreach, 425 E. 3rd St., Waterloo, IA 50703.