Edward J. Schmitz, Sr., 99, died Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 19, 2005, at St. Josephs Church, Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Gerald Noesen presiding. Burial will be at St. Marys Cemetery, Red Lake Falls.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Friday, February, 18, 2005 at St. Josephs Church with a 7 PM rosary and a prayer service at 7:30 PM. Visitation also one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Edward John Schmitz was born March 1, 1905, in Browns Creek Township, Red Lake County, MN, the son of Joseph and Louise (Schnirch) Schmitz. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith at St. Marys Catholic Church, Red Lake Falls, MN. His formal education was grades, 1-8 at The Little Red Schoolhouse near the area where he grew up.

On September 26, 1934, Edward was united in marriage to Gertrude M. Knott at St. Marys Catholic Church. They made their home in the Red Lake Falls area and farmed until 1970, when they moved to their present home in Red Lake Falls.

Edward was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed helping his sons on their farms and had many hobbies, including hunting, steam engines, threshing bees, repairing electric motors and carpentry work He could fix almost anything that was brought to him. For entertainment he loved to play his banjo and concertina accordion and on several occasions he went to Hillcrest Nursing Home to play for them.

He was a member of St. Josephs Church and at one time was a trustee, one of the first Eucharistic ministers and an usher. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus and was a charter member of Holy Family Council #10732. He was a man of great faith who was committed to his church.

Survived by five children: Vivian Talley, Parkers Prairie, MN, Edward H. (Gaylene) Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, MN, James (Theresa) Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, MN, Leo Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, MN and Janice (Vern) Ebersviller, Waconia, MN; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sister, Gertrude Knott, Osseo, MN; brother-in-law, Frank Knott; sisters-in-law, Frances Schiefert, Thief River Falls, MN and Pauline Knott, Thief River Falls, MN

Preceded in death by wife, Gertrude, October 20, 2002; son, Ronald; parents; brothers, John, Crispen, Bernard Sr. and Theodore; sisters, Elizabeth Wichterman, Mary Schindler, Agnes Knott, Josephine Schmitz, Cecelia Majeres, Clara Hanner and Martha Omann.