Fern Schmitz

Funeral Service for Fern Alvina Schmitz, 91, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Anthony Ahrendt officiating. Pallbearers will be all of Ferns Grandchildren. Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wheaton. Visitation will be held on Saturday, one hour prior to service time at the church. The Ranney Funeral Home of Wheaton, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. Fern Alvina (Kurth) Schmitz was born February 15, 1920 in Wheaton, Minnesota the daughter of Frank and Mathilda Nee (Otto) Kurth. She was baptized March 21, 1920 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton by Rev. Feadtke and confirmed April 5, 1936 by Rev. Hiene. Fern attended rural school, District 45 and 42, in Crake Township. She was united in marriage to Philip Schmitz on September 30, 1939. The couple farmed in Walls Township for 41 years, retiring in 1980. Fern belonged to St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton before moving to Morris where she joined Zion Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Elizabeth Circle and LWMR while at St. John, where she was the leader many times. She was also a member of Walls Extension Club for over 40 years. Fern enjoyed making quilts and afghans for her grandchildren and enjoyed outside activities like helping in the fields as well as fishing and camping. Fern passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Rosholt Care Center in Rosholt, South Dakota. Fern is survived by two children, Eddie Schmitz and special friend Sharon Hirsch of Valley City, North Dakota, and Carolyn (Joe) Deal of Taylors Falls, Minnesota, seven grandchildren, J. Brian (Jamine) Deal, Jeanne (Karl) Baldry, David (Linda) Deal, Jodi (James) Lindgren, Andrew (Danielle) Deal, Linda Taffe and Ron Schmitz, grandson-in-law, Bruce Wilson, eighteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Herbert, Raymond and Edwin, and granddaughter, Jennifer Wilson.