Today we are celebrating the life of a man ( Don Schmitt) that was very well lived.I lived across the street from Don in Waite Park,I done alot of work for his mother Rachel in the early fifties before I went into the Navy My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief and sorrow
Donald H. Schmitt
January 19, 1918 – March 8, 2011
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 14, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park for Donald H. Schmitt, age 93 of Pleasant Lake and formerly of Waite Park who passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at his home. Reverend Vincent Lieser will officiate. Burial with military honors will take place at the parish cemetery.
Family and friends may call after 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the church. Arrangements were by the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.
Don was born January 19, 1918 in Waite Park, MN to John (Jack) and Rachel (Watt) Schmitt. He graduated from Tech High School in 1936. He married Leoba (Lee) Bischoff and they later separated. He served in the US Army Air Corps as a pilot during World War II. He worked for Standard Oil Company retiring in 1976. After retirement he bought a float plane and had many fishing trips to northern Minnesota and Canada. He was the first President of the Waite Park Lions Club, past Governor of the Moose Lodge, and past Commander of the Waite Park American Legion. He was one of the original organizers of the annual Spas Tag celebration in Waite Park. He was presented with the Lifetime Volunteer Award by the city of Waite Park.
He is survived by his sons Mike (Betty) and Tony (Nancy) of St. Cloud, grandsons Mark, Scott (Stacey), Chad, and John Schmitt, granddaughter Kate (Josh) Wirtanen, great grandchildren Christian and Madilyn, step-granddaughter Amy (Chris) Hoopes and their children Lauren, Emily and Isabella. He is also survived by special friend, Eileen Hemmesch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Robert, brother Tacker (Virg) Schmitt, sisters Mildred (Erling) Henrickson, Evelyn Gutzke-Proulx and daughter-in-law Peggy (Kappel) Schmitt.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Guestbook
Mike and Betty, So very sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Hold onto your wonderful memories.
To Don’s entire family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on the loss of Don. He was a true gentleman,humanitarian, hardworking, smart, imaginative, good friend, and trusty neighbor and a wonderful person inside and out.
Knowing him and his family for over 50 years and knowing what kind of person he was, will leave a void in our hearts as well. We will truly miss you Don and your dry wit and gruff voice, your crooked smile and your good hearted spirit. Say hello to Dad and Mom when you meet them and Peter at the Pearly Gates. Don’t try and “reinvent” Heaven while your there BTW.
Blessings to Eileen, for being his companion and caretaker for all of these years. To Lee his wife and mother of his boys, we share your sorrow. To Mike and Tony and your families we send you our thoughts and prayers to you all. May the memories you have of Don carry you through this difficult time. He lived a long and happy life. He lived life to the fullest and brought true meaning to being a GREAT GUY and a good human being.
God speed to you Don. We will miss you.
We are so sorry for your loss our thoughts a prayers are with you.
Beck, Julia, and Marge Becker
He was a great guy.
Services
Visitation
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church – Waite ParkSchedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 14, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park for Donald H. Schmitt, age 93 of Pleasant Lake and formerly of Waite Park who passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at his home. Reverend Vincent Lieser will officiate. Burial with military honors will take place at the parish cemetery.
Family and friends may call after 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the church.
Arrangements were by the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.