1937
Ronald
2008
Ronald Schmitz
May 16, 1937 — February 1, 2008
Ronald Vernon Schmitz, son of Verney and Louise (Laqua) Schmitz, was born May 16, 1937 in Graceville, Minnesota. He began his schooling in Dumont and later attended and graduated from Wheaton High School in 1955. He continued his education at Tlegraphy School in Minneapolis as a Depot Agent. While attending college, Ronnie worked at the Red Owl Store in St. Anthony Village, Art Fridgen Farm, Conroy Construction and Dunnick Brothers Construction.
On June 26, 1958, he was united in marriage to Arlis Hoffman at St. Peter Catholic Church in Dumont. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Graceville, where they raised their four children and Ronnie worked for Hoffman Implement, Grace Home, Power Century, Menge Construction, Zach Trucking and NAPA, which he purchased in 1982 from Jim Kleespie.
Ronnie was active throughout the Graceville community through his involvement in city and service organizations. He was part of the Ambulance Service for 24 years and a fireman for 20 plus years, during which he served as fire chief and he retired from both groups in 1982. Ronnie served on the Graceville City Council as a board member and briefly as mayor. He was also a member of the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Council. He enjoyed woodworking, electric motor and tool repair, bowling, flowers and birds. He especially enjoyed his visits with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. Ronnie started each day with his coffee buddies at NAPA and special visits from his little buddy, Charlie Pullis.
Ronnie died unexpectedly on Friday, February 1, 2008 in Graceville, MN, having lived to reach the age of 70 years.
He is survived by his wife: Arlis Schmitz of Graceville; children: Larry Schmitz of Graceville, Jenny (Roger) Boettger of Springfield, Brad (Tammy) Schmitz of Graceville and Gary (Jodi) Schmitz of Monticello; ten grandchildren: Jessica (Justin) Brand, Dina, Teresa and Christopher Boettger, Amber, Kayla, Kelsey and Shane Schmitz and Zachary and Jake Schmitz; one great-granddaughter: Caitlin Brand; brothers: Orville (Bernice) Schmitz of Alexandria, Roger (Kathi) Schmitz of Wheaton and Tom (Marg) Schmitz of Rosholt; sisters: Donna (Richard) Weber of Wheaton and Kathy (Ed) Murken of Starbuck; one aunt: Dora Hauschild of Wheaton; one uncle: Chester Whaley of Minneapolis; mother-in-law: Harriet Hoffman of Graceville; sisters-in-law: Phyliss (Verle) Saxton of Beardsley, Vicki Stange of Brainerd, Sharon (Don) Schneider of Willmar and Diane (Orville) Vollmers of Dumont; brother-in-law: Gary (Ruth) Hoffman of Graceville and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter: Karla; his parents; father-in-law: Victor Hoffman; brothers-in-law: Gerald Stange, Alvin McGill and Clare Doschadis and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
Pallbearers for the service are Ronnie's godchildren: Jerome Schmitz, Nathaniel Murken, Rory Schmitz, Patrick Yezek, Pat Gwinn, Duane Stange, Scott Stange, Sherrie Long and Rebecca Schmidt. Honorary pallbearers are the Graceville Firemen and all who called Ronnie friend. Corrine Johnson will serve as organist for the service with Rodney Rowe serving as soloist. Larson Funeral Home in Graceville is in charge of the arrangements.
On June 26, 1958, he was united in marriage to Arlis Hoffman at St. Peter Catholic Church in Dumont. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Graceville, where they raised their four children and Ronnie worked for Hoffman Implement, Grace Home, Power Century, Menge Construction, Zach Trucking and NAPA, which he purchased in 1982 from Jim Kleespie.
Ronnie was active throughout the Graceville community through his involvement in city and service organizations. He was part of the Ambulance Service for 24 years and a fireman for 20 plus years, during which he served as fire chief and he retired from both groups in 1982. Ronnie served on the Graceville City Council as a board member and briefly as mayor. He was also a member of the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Council. He enjoyed woodworking, electric motor and tool repair, bowling, flowers and birds. He especially enjoyed his visits with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. Ronnie started each day with his coffee buddies at NAPA and special visits from his little buddy, Charlie Pullis.
Ronnie died unexpectedly on Friday, February 1, 2008 in Graceville, MN, having lived to reach the age of 70 years.
He is survived by his wife: Arlis Schmitz of Graceville; children: Larry Schmitz of Graceville, Jenny (Roger) Boettger of Springfield, Brad (Tammy) Schmitz of Graceville and Gary (Jodi) Schmitz of Monticello; ten grandchildren: Jessica (Justin) Brand, Dina, Teresa and Christopher Boettger, Amber, Kayla, Kelsey and Shane Schmitz and Zachary and Jake Schmitz; one great-granddaughter: Caitlin Brand; brothers: Orville (Bernice) Schmitz of Alexandria, Roger (Kathi) Schmitz of Wheaton and Tom (Marg) Schmitz of Rosholt; sisters: Donna (Richard) Weber of Wheaton and Kathy (Ed) Murken of Starbuck; one aunt: Dora Hauschild of Wheaton; one uncle: Chester Whaley of Minneapolis; mother-in-law: Harriet Hoffman of Graceville; sisters-in-law: Phyliss (Verle) Saxton of Beardsley, Vicki Stange of Brainerd, Sharon (Don) Schneider of Willmar and Diane (Orville) Vollmers of Dumont; brother-in-law: Gary (Ruth) Hoffman of Graceville and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter: Karla; his parents; father-in-law: Victor Hoffman; brothers-in-law: Gerald Stange, Alvin McGill and Clare Doschadis and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
Pallbearers for the service are Ronnie's godchildren: Jerome Schmitz, Nathaniel Murken, Rory Schmitz, Patrick Yezek, Pat Gwinn, Duane Stange, Scott Stange, Sherrie Long and Rebecca Schmidt. Honorary pallbearers are the Graceville Firemen and all who called Ronnie friend. Corrine Johnson will serve as organist for the service with Rodney Rowe serving as soloist. Larson Funeral Home in Graceville is in charge of the arrangements.