Cover photo for Reinhard Schmitz's Obituary
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Reinhard Schmitz

August 14, 1924 — November 5, 2015

Reinhard Schmitz

Reinhard Schmitz, age 91, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Thursday, November 5, 2015 at the Browns Valley Health Center in Browns Valley, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, November 9, 2015 at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. Stanley Wieser Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Sanasack with special music provided by Doug Frisch and the Ave Maria Catholic Church Choir. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, rural Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Michelle Ring, Scott Ring, Jason Gilsdorf, Brian Alexander, Nicole Alexander and Daryl Lewandowski. Honorary Pallbearers will be all Traverse County Employees. Military Rites will be provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post #80. Visitation will be Monday morning from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church. Reinhard John Schmitz was born August 14, 1924 in Graceville, Minnesota to Jacob and Veronica (Cordie) Schmitz. Reinhard attended St. Peter's Parochial School in Dumont, Minnesota before entering the United States Army on November 29, 1944. He was honorably discharged on August 23, 1946. For his service he received the Victory Medal, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, two Overseas Service Bars, the Army of Occupation Medal and the Germany Good Conduct Medal. Reinhard was united in marriage to Gloria Wencel on August 23, 1950 at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton. The couple farmed until 1957 when they moved into Wheaton where Reinhard worked for Traverse County. He retired from Traverse County in 1987 and worked several years part time at the Wheaton Elevator hauling fertilizer. Reinhard enjoyed fishing, biking, picture and word puzzles, and cutting quilts squares for the Ave Maria Quilters. He especially enjoyed camping trips with grandchildren. He and Gloria served as campground hosts in state parks for eight years. Reinhard was a member of the Wheaton American Legion Post # 80 in Wheaton. Other than time served in the military, he was a lifelong member of the Dumont and Wheaton area. Reinhard is survived by his wife Gloria Schmitz of Wheaton; two daughters: Wanda (Tony) Gilsdorf and Renae (Lloyd) Alexander both of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; four grandchildren: Michelle (Scott) Ring of Rochester, Minnesota; Jason Gilsdorf of Palmer, Alaska; Brian Alexander of Bemidji, Minnesota; and Nicole Alexander of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; siblings: Vivian Staupe and Laura Mallery of Lakeville, Minnesota; Elizabeth Charlton of Waterloo, Iowa; Veronica (Earl) Triplet of Danube, Minnesota; and James (Val) Schmitz and David (Carol) Schmitz both of Wheaton; and numerous nieces and nephews. Reinhard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Victor, Donald, Eugene, Vernon and Jacob Jr.; and sisters: Valeria, Louise and Catherine.

Visitation

Ave Maria Catholic Church
  • Email Details
  • 201 9th Street South
    Wheaton, MN 56296

Mass of Christian Burial

Ave Maria Catholic Church
  • Email Details
  • 201 9th Street South
    Wheaton, MN 56296
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