Eunice Schmitz

Eunice Elaine Schmitz, age 91, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022 at the Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. George Sagissor III officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wheaton in the Spring. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Kurtis Muehler, Gregg Muehler, Tracey Schmitz, Devon Schmitz, Kaitlin Schmitz-Nelson and Peder Schmitz. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Elizabeth Circle.

Eunice Elaine (Tobeck) Schmitz was born on August 19, 1930 in Windsor Township, Traverse County Minnesota to Henry and Dora (Schmidt) Tobeck.  She was baptized on September 21, 1930 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parnell Township by Rev. E.G. Hallstein.  She was confirmed on April 30, 1944 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheaton.

Eunice grew up on a farm in Windsor Township of Traverse County, Wheaton.  She attended Country School District #8 for seven years and then five years at Wheaton High School from where she graduated.  She was crowned Miss Wheaton 1948 and participated in the Miss Northwest Pageant in Detroit Lakes, MN.  Eunice worked as a secretary and book keeper at Wheaton Auto for six years, until Kenny returned home from the military.

Eunice married Kenneth Earl Schmitz on November 15, 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton.  They were blessed with five children: Kathi, Keith, Steven, Glen and Kari. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Cherished adornments were also given, such as farmer grandma and cookie grandma. Each family member was showered with their favorite cookies, bars, cakes, creampuffs and meals for holidays and birthdays. Always calling the family to the dinner table with her signature “Yoo-Hoo-Hoo” that will be so deeply missed.  She loved to cook, bake and preserve the items from her bountiful gardens each year. She raised and sold strawberries and tomatoes to many neighbors in the Wheaton area.  She also sold eggs from the laying hens and later fryer chickens. Her allergies prevented pets and flowers from coming into her home, but the front yard was adorned with a beautiful flower garden; sometimes filled with cats and dogs as well; to her dismay.

Eunice had an artistic side as well; crocheting hundreds of doilies, afghans, and receiving blankets; making quilts and sewing. She also enjoyed making embroidered kitchen towels for family and friends. Eunice and Kenny would play tunes on their accordions, go dancing or play cards with friends, to while away an evening.

Eunice raised her family to have a strong faith and was on many committees at St Johns.  She was a devout member of the Elizabeth Circle and cherished the friends she made through her service in the church.

Eunice is survived by her children: Keith (Paulette) Schmitz; Steven (Ruth) Schmitz; Glen (Bonnie) Schmitz; and Kari (Dan) Schmitz-Eilertson; six grandchildren: Kurtis Muehler, Gregg Muehler, Tracey Schmitz, Devon Schmitz, Kaitlin Schmitz-Nelson and Peder Schmitz; eight great-grandchildren: Katelynn and Emmilee Muehler; Rachel, Jeffrey, Leah and Ellis Muehler; Mackenzie Meidinger and Alex Schmitz; three great-great-grandchildren: Levi, Lily and Ava Meidinger; sisters Ione (Milton) Schmidt and Sandra Sager of Wheaton.

Eunice was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth; parents Henry and Dora Tobeck; daughter Kathi Elaine Schmitz-Pistole; brothers: Virgil, VerDean, and Gary Tobeck; grandson Christopher Schmitz; nephew Lonnie Schmidt; and niece Sherilyn Martinek.