Red Lake Falls - Edward J. Schmitz Sr., 99, died Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, February 19, at St. Joseph's Church in Red Lake Falls, with Father Gerald Noesen presiding. Casket bearers included Edward's grandchildren. Interment was held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Red Lake Falls.
Edward John Schmitz was born March 1, 1905, in Brown's Creek Township, Red Lake County, the son of Joseph and Louise (Schnirch) Schmitz. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith at St. Marys Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. His formal education was grades, one through eight at "The Little Red Schoolhouse" near the area where he grew up.
On September 26, 1934, Edward was united in marriage to Gertrude M. Knott at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They made their home in the Red Lake Falls area and farmed until 1970, when they moved to their present home in Red Lake Falls.
Edward was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed helping his sons on their farms and had many hobbies, including hunting, steam engines, threshing bees, repairing electric motors and carpentry work He could fix almost anything that was brought to him. For entertainment he loved to play his banjo and concertina accordion and on several occasions he went to Hillcrest Nursing Home to play for them.
He was a member of St. Joseph's Church and at one time was a trustee, one of the first Eucharistic ministers and an usher. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus and was a charter member of Holy Family Council No. 10732. He was a man of great faith who was committed to his church.
Survivors include five children, Vivian Talley of Parkers Prairie, Edward H. (Gaylene) Schmitz of Red Lake Falls, James (Theresa) Schmitz of Red Lake Falls, Leo Schmitz of Red Lake Falls and Janice (Vern) Ebersviller of Waconia; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Gertrude Knott of Osseo; one brother-in-law, Frank Knott Sr.; sisters-in-law, Frances Schiefert of Thief River Falls, Pauline Knott of Thief River Falls and Leona Bevolden, Red Lake Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude; one son, Ronald; his parents; brothers, John, Crispen, Bernard Sr. and Theodore; sisters, Elizabeth Wichterman, Mary Schindler, Agnes Knott, Josephine Schmitz, Cecelia Majeres, Clara Hanner and Martha Omann.