Helen Gladys Schmitz, 85, died Sunday, December 12, 2010 at her residence in Red Lake Falls, MN surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 PM, Sunday, December 19, 2010 at St. Josephs Church, Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding. Burial will be in the spring at St. Josephs Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Saturday, December 18, 2010 at St. Josephs Church, Red Lake Falls with a 7:30 PM prayer service. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church.

Helen Weiss was born November 24, 1925 in Red Lake Falls Township, MN, the daughter of Henry and Ida (Hinrichs) Weiss. She attended country school in Red Lake Falls Township for eight years. Helen was employed at the Co-op Store in Red Lake Falls where she met her husband Sylvester Schmitz.

On April 20, 1948, Helen was united in marriage to Sylvester Schmitz at St. Marys Catholic Church, Red Lake Falls. To this union 14 children were born: Gale, Sharon, Joel, Terry, Kevin, Roxanne, Kristie, Cindy, Kent, DelRae, Brenda, Paula, Brian, and Troy. The couple farmed and raised their family in Browns Creek Township. Helen was a homemaker and worked on the family farm all of their married life.

Helen was a member of St. Josephs Church and Guild and also a member of St. Anns Society. Her pastimes were baking, sewing, and knitting. She enjoyed visiting and playing cards with her family, and also enjoyed her little dog George.

Helen is survived by children: Gale (Carol) Schmitz, Thief River Falls, Sharon (Mike) Riendeau, Brooks, Joel (Judy) Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, Terry (Mary Jo) Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, Kevin Schmitz, Sidney, MT, Roxanne (Ross) Cota, Red Lake Falls, Kristie (Rusty) Remick, Red Lake Falls, Cindy (Walter) Novak, Brooks, Kent (Kathy) Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, DelRae (Bruce) Skalsky, St. Hilaire, Brenda (Wayne) Steinbrink, Crookston, Paula (Denny) Tice, Mentor, Brian Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, and Troy (Stacie) Schmitz, Red Lake Falls, and Helens dog, George; 39 grandchildren, Benjamin and Laura Schmitz, Michelle, Renee, Sheila and Joey Riendeau, Seth Schmitz, Sara, Samuel, and Amelia Schmitz, Angie, Amanda, Buckly, Matthew, Cassie and Tara Cota, Wendy, Jason and Kurt Remick, Christopher, Carly and Caleb Novak, Ashley, Garrett and Leah Schmitz, Zachary, Joshua, Isaac and Ann Skalsky, Justin, Shawna, and Heidi Steinbrink, Crystal, Chad, and Corey Tice, Brooke, Bailey, Hunter and Kegan Schmitz; 35 great grandchildren; Emily and Nicole Riendeau, Jacob and Jordan Riendeau, Tyler, Brandon, Allison, Nicholas, Morgan, and Issabella Plante, Hannah Riendeau, Taylor, Kaydon, and Quinnlyn Kenfield, Adrianna, Mikayla, Jory and Jenna Vasek, Clara, Zeb, and Ty Hermreck, Alexis, Gretchen, and Miley Cota, Brianna, Shelby, Jayden, Blake, Jaxon, and Ella Breiland, Payton and Kira Remick, Chase Remick, Drew and Camden Hemberger; sisters: Isabel Melin, Thief River Falls, MN, Lillian Berry, Thief River Falls, MN, Marvel Klein, Langdon, ND and brother, Willard (LouAnn) Weiss, Crookston, MN along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Sylvester, grandson Simon; brothers, George, August, Henry, Richard, and Raymond; sisters, Leora Audette, Viola Iverson and Pauline Cooper.

CASKETBEARERS: Helens sons: Gale, Joel, Terry, Kevin, Kent, Brian, and Troy