Phyllis Schmitz

Funeral Mass for Phyllis Marie Schmitz, age 87, of Browns Valley, Minnesota will be held Friday, October 18, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Fr. Joe Vandeberg and Fr. Stanley Wieser Celebrants. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack with special music provided by the Ave Maria Catholic Church Choir. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Schmitz, Andrew Schmitz, Matthew Schmitz, Adam Schmitz, Isaac Hokanson and Ben Kruger. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, October 17th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at the Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time at the church on Friday. The Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home of Wheaton, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. Phyllis Marie Roerig was born on May 10, 1926 in Folson Township, rural Browns Valley, Minnesota to Nicholas and Mary (Piechowski) Roerig. She grew up in the Browns Valley area and graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1944. She moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she worked for the Minnesota Department of Health. She returned to the area in 1948. She married Vernon Wayne Schmitz on September 16, 1948 in Browns Valley. The couple began farming in Windsor Township where they resided until 2005 when they moved into the Vista View Apartments in Browns Valley. Vernon passed away October 10, 2007. Phyllis remained in Browns Valley until 2012 when she moved to Peaceful Bliss Assisted Living in Alexandria, Minnesota where she passed away on October 14, 2013. Phyllis was very family oriented; a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved all family functions and enjoyed visiting with relatives following Sunday church. She enjoyed gardening and quilting and anything to do with crafts. She was a member of the Extension Club, Ave Maria Church Circle and Ladies of the Lake. Phyllis will be sadly missed by her many family members and friends. Phyllis is survived by three sons: Charles (Wendy) Schmitz of Bloomington, Minnesota; Michael Schmitz of Alexandria, Minnesota; and Francis (Kelly) Schmitz of New Hope, Minnesota; four siblings: Rita Hannasch of Sisseton, South Dakota; Germaine Tobeck of Delano, Minnesota; George Roerig of Montpelier, Ohio; and Kathryn Savaria of Chatsworth, California; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Vernon; parents Nicholas and Mary; and sisters: Elaine Kenney, Mary Ann Kruger and Theresa Ruiz.