Services
Obituary
Jo Ellen Schimmelpfennig, 87, of Forest City, passed away Friday, July 25, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Ewing Funeral Home, 178 Center Street West in Britt. Click the following link to watch the funeral service livestream. https://meet.goto.com/138259261
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Jo Ellen (Guy) Schimmelpfennig, the daughter of L.P (Hap) and Mabel (Engel) Guy, was born January 11, 1938, in Brighton, Iowa. She grew up there and graduated from Brighton High School.
On January 18, 1957, Jo Ellen was united in marriage to Daryl Schimmelpfennig in Fairfield, Iowa. Shortly after, the couple moved to a farm in Hancock County, where they made their home and raised their family. Jo Ellen was a devoted farm wife, working side by side with Daryl and their son, Roger, in the daily operations of the farm.
In addition to her work on the farm, Jo Ellen was employed at Winnebago Industries for 20 years, where she was known for her dedication and strong work ethic.
In her free time, Jo Ellen loved being outside tending to her garden. She never let anything go to waste and canned all her produce.
She is survived by her four children: Michael (Debra) Schimmelpfennig of Woden, Iowa and their children Andrew (Mollie) Schimmelpfennig, Jacob Schimmelpfennig and Emily (Jim) Allmon, Roger (Sandra) Schimmelpfennig of Forest City and stepdaughter Alisa (Mark) Higgins, Iowa, Kathy (the late Gregory)Gerdes of Pella and her children Nicholas (Andrea) Gerdes and Jessica Gerdes (Jason Durnan), Alan (Barb) Schimmelpfennig of Virginia Beach, Virginia; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Wanda Mapel, Nadine Taglauer, and Barbara (Boyd) Stephens, sister-in-law Mary (Gary) Lowry along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Jo Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Daryl in 1999, son-in-law Gregory Gerdes, one granddaughter Rachel Linn, siblings Lathol Guy, Mary Kientz, Vada Hahn, Beverly Morgan, Wendel Guy, and Cedric Guy.