Vernon Schmitz

Funeral Service for Vernon Wayne Schmitz, 81, of Browns Valley, Minnesota will be held Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 10:30 A.M. at the Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Schmitz, Andrew Schmitz, Matthew Schmitz, Adam Schmitz, Steven Schmitz & Ben Kruger. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Visitation will be held Friday, October 12th from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service at the Ranney Funeral Home in Wheaton. Vernon Wayne Schmitz was born on April 19, 1926 in Windsor Township, Traverse County, Minnesota to Peter and Elsie (Hess) Schmitz. He attended school in District #8 Windsor Township, completing the eighth grade. He was baptized and confirmed at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton in 1949. On September 16, 1948, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Roerig at Browns Valley, Minnesota, and the couple started farming. In 1945, he entered the United States Army and took his basic training at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Arkansas. He later went to Fr. Benning, Georgia where he was trained to be a paratrooper. He was discharged from the army in October 1946. He farmed until he was 55 years of age. He was chairman of the Windsor Town Board for over 20 years. He was a member of the American Legion for 38 years. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, and painting. He shared his garden produce with friends and neighbors. Vernon passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at the Tekakwitha Nursing Center in Sisseton, South Dakota. He is survived by his wife: Phyllis of Browns Valley, Minnesota, Children: Charles (Wendy) Schmitz of Bloomington, Minnesota, Michael Schmitz of Alexandria, Minnesota, Francis (Kelly) Schmitz of New Hope, Minnesota, Brothers: Norman (Alice) Schmitz of Wheaton, Minnesota & Kenneth (Eunice) Schmitz of Wheaton, Minnesota, 7 Grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild, and 2 step-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Philip Schmitz, sister: Violet Kurth and brother-in-law: Herbert Kurth.

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