Theodore Schmitz

Theodore "Ted" Schmitz, age 86 of New Munich, died on Thursday, July 15, 2004 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 19 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Rev. Roger Klassen, OSB and Rev. Kenneth Thielman will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday at the church in New Munich.

Ted Schmitz was born on September 17, 1917 in St. Francis, Minnesota to Martin and Anna (Stueve) Schmitz. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Africa and Italy. On January 2, 1951 he was united in marriage to Helen (Rieland) Doetkott at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. He resided in New Munich and was employed by Litchfield Produce in Melrose and later by Worms Lumber in New Munich. He retired in 1976. He had resided at Park View Center in Melrose before moving to Pine Villa Care Center. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich and Schahaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 of Melrose.

Survivors included five step-children, Harvey (Yvonne) Doetkott of Grey Eagle, Lorraine (Joe) VonWahlde of St. Cloud, Dennis (Marlene) Doetkott and Roger (Marti) Doetkott of Melrose and Doris Gangl of Avon; 19 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sister, Catherine Tschida of Melrose.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (Rieland) Schmitz on February 25, 1999; his parents; children, Gary and Sharon Schmitz; step-sons, Jack and Allen Doetkott; grandchildren, Linda and Dale VonWahlde; brother and sisters, Robert Schmitz, Eleanor Breth and Helen Rausch.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jim, Bill and Jack Rausch, Gilbert and Isadore Schmitz and Donald Tschida. Cross bearer will be Scott Gangl and scripture bearer will be Keith Doetkott.