Bernard J. Schmitz, 72, of Red Lake Falls, MN died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at MeritCare Northwest Campus in Thief River Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 17, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, October 16, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Bernard James Schmitz was born on June 24, 1937 on the family farm in rural Red Lake Falls, MN the fifth of nine children born to Bernard Ben and Elizabeth (Knott) Schmitz. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Marys Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls and attended country school. Following school, Bernard worked on the family farm.

Bernard served his country in the military as a member of the Crookston National Guard.

On October 28, 1961, Bernard was united in marriage to Clarice Marie Haupt at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. They made their home on a farm in Emardville Township, near Plummer, MN and to this union six children were born, Bernadette, Arnold, Teresa, Jerold, Darrell, and Lee.

Bernard owned and operated a farm with dairy and beef cattle and raised small grains. He also spent a large part of his life doing carpentry. He had an eye for seeing detail and was an animated storyteller. In 1976, Bernard and Clarice purchased the family farmstead from his dad and continued farming and carpentry until his retirement. Clarice died on March 8, 1988.

On December 26, 1989 Bernard was united in marriage to Lorraine Lolly Ayotte Vedbraaten at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. Lolly brought her two sons, Todd and Lee to the family. Bernard and Lolly continued to live on the family farm and together they enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling and playing cards.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls and served on the St. Joseph Cemetery Board. He was also a lifetime member of the MN Deer Hunters Association.

Survivors include his wife Lolly of Red Lake Falls; five children, Bernie (Dave) Larson of Warroad, MN, Arnie (Barb) Schmitz of Plummer, MN, Teresa Teri (Mark) Klinkhammer of Winger, MN, John (Shana) Schmitz of East Bethel, MN, Bud (Jenn Andrus) Schmitz of Plummer, MN; daughter-in-law, Nancy Schmitz of Plummer, MN; mother-in-law, Eunice Haupt of Red Lake Falls; 13 grandchildren, Joe Larson, Annette Larson, Matt Schmitz, Amanda Schmitz, Ashley Schmitz, Nolan Klinkhammer, Reed Klinkhammer, Noah Klinkhammer, Cory Schmitz, Nikki Schmitz, Brittany Schmitz, Damion Schmitz, Matt Costa; brothers and sisters, Alois (Dorine) Schmitz, Henry (Phyllis) Schmitz, JoAnn Derosier, Monica (Charles) Stephens, Linus (Beverly) Schmitz all of Red Lake Falls, Leon (Diane) Schmitz of Park River, ND, Marlys (Charlie) Martin of Tye, Texas, and Margaret (Jerome) Schindler of Red Lake Falls; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and Lollys sons, Todd (Angie) Vedbraaten of Thief River Falls, MN and Lee (Christine) Vedbraaten of Milwaukee, WI; and grandchildren, Reese, Cooper, Andrew, Elizabeth and Samantha Vedbraaten.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Clarice; son, Jerold Jake on September 4, 2009; father-in-law, Ed Haupt; and brothers-in-law, George Derosier and Bob Haupt.