Frank J. Schmitz

The Mass of Christian Burial for Frank J. Schmitz, a resident at the St. Williams Living Center in Parkers Prairie and formerly of Wadena, will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena, with Father Aaron Kuhn as celebrant. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday starting with a Rosary at 12:30 p.m. and the visitation will continue until the time of the Mass. Frank, age 84, passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at the St. Williams Living Center, Parkers Prairie, MN. Frank was born to Hillarius and Katherine (Simmons) Schmitz on March 18, 1934, in Leaf River Township, near Wadena, MN. Frank was united in marriage with Joyce Irene Rydbom on November 29, 1956 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. They made their home and raised their family in the Wadena area, where Frank worked in construction. In his free time he found joy in putting his hands to the woodworking craft. Frank was a wonderful husband, father and grandpa and a loyal friend to many, and enjoyed helping those in need and being outdoors. Frank entered the US Army at Ft Chaffex, AR, beginning in 1957 and served until his honorable discharge in 1959, at Ft Hood, TX. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Joyce on September 6, 2009; son James; son-in-law David Cooper; parents Hillarius and Katherine; sisters Christina, Rose, Katie and Julia; parents-in-law, Boyd and Ann Rydbom; brother-in-law James & (Pat) Rydbom; Leroy Rydbom, Joe Uselman, and sister-in-law Bernice and (Irvin) Kern. He is survived by his sons, Michael of Wisconsin, and Joel (Mike) of Florida; daughters, Ann Ness (Dick) of Wadena, Pamela Cooper of Staples, Mary Dee (Brad) Kempe of Verndale, Sharyl (Jeff) Rinkel of Wadena, and Teresa Schmitz (Michael) of Brainerd; brothers Phillip, Joseph (Jan), Larry and Peter (Pat) Schmitz; sisters Ceal Donkin, Frances Monroe, Ione Sundega and Susan (Ray) Ellingsworth; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Leroy Rydbom; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Haitt, Estella Uselman, Doris (Leo) Tabery, Patricia (Ronald) Bartels, and Pauline (Mike)Donaldson. Pallbearers will be Brad Kempe, Michael Anderson, John Kempe, Logan Voge, Lyle Schmitz, John Quast. Military honors provided by the Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena, MN. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN. Memorials may be directed to the LB Homes - Lakeland Hospice, 805 E Channing Ave, Fergus Falls, MN, 56537.

Frank J. Schmitz

March 18, 1934 - April 29, 2018