Salvatore “Sam” Mattia Baxter of Fort Madison died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on February 12, 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Sam was born October 16, 1949 in Fort Madison, Iowa to Joseph Baxter of Fort Madison and Francesca Anna (DeGennaro) Baxter of Naples, Italy. Sam was a 1967 graduate of Aquinas High School. Upon graduation, Sam spent five years on the continent of Australia and loved to recount his time working on shrimp boats, bauxite mining, brick-making, and as a Honda motorcycle mechanic. Upon moving back to the United States he worked on everything from barges on the Mississippi River to locomotive engines at BNSF shops in Burlington, Iowa. Sam first married Jill Bentley, and they later divorced. On July 17, 1999, he married Linda Denning Hunold at St. Boniface in Farmington, Iowa. He retired in 2015 from BNSF as a railroad conductor.
Sam was curious, quick with a joke or a pun, and loved to tell stories to anyone who would listen. Fun loving at heart, he was always whipping up paper airplanes, word games, potato guns, or trebuchets for his grandchildren—who he adored and enthusiastically recounted stories about. A true Renaissance man, Sam could be found tinkering with his car or a home project, making jewelry, debating philosophy, or devouring historical programs. He was a talented guitar player and cartoonist. To say that Sam was a good cook would be an understatement and he passed that love of cooking on to his children.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, as well as his children: Danielle (Ramy) Henin of Marion, Iowa and Benjamin (Emily) Baxter of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; sister: Rosie (James) Helling of San Antonio, Texas, and sister: Teresa Roth of San Antonio, Texas. Sam was a “second dad” to Ben (Tracey Griser) Hunold of Farmington, Iowa, Sarah (Andrew) Stephens of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Jennifer Hunold (Jake Winiski) of Troy, New York. He delighted in spending time with and hearing stories about his 11 grandchildren.
A visitation will begin at 12:00 noon on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Father Dan Dorau officiating.
Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Houghton, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John’s Cemetery in Houghton, Iowa, The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra (SEISO), or The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
