Sylvester Schmitz, 86, died Thursday, August 2, 2007 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 6, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Tim Bushy presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Red Lake Falls with military honors provided by the Red Lake Falls American Legion Post.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Sunday, August 5, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday at church.

Sylvester Schmitz was born on July 27, 1921 in Red Lake Falls, MN the son of John and Anna (Pahlen) Schmitz. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Marys Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN and attended St. Joseph Catholic School.

Sylvester served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942 until being Honorably Discharged in 1946. He served in the 68th Signal Battalion in the Philippine Islands. His military decorations and citations include the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.

On April 20, 1948, Sylvester was united in marriage to Helen Weiss at St. Marys Catholic Church in 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 Brown Creek Township. Sylvester also did carpentry work.

Sylvester enjoyed riding his 4-wheeler, taking the kids fishing at the rock dam and at the ditch, and had a special love for milking cows, driving tractor and doing field-work. Sylvester was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. He served as a director on the Brown Creek Township Board and was a member of the American Legion in Red Lake Falls.

Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Helen of Red Lake Falls; 14 children, Gale (Carol) Schmitz, Sharon (Mike) Riendeau, Joel (Judy) Schmitz, Terry (Mary) Schmitz, Kevin Schmitz, Roxanne (Ross) Cota, Kristie (Rusty) Remick, Cindy (Walter) Novak, Kent (Kathy) Schmitz, DelRae (Bruce) Skalsky, Brenda (Wayne) Steinbrink, Paula (Dennis) Tice, Brian Schmitz, and Troy (Stacie) Schmitz; 39 grandchildren, Benjamin and Laura Schmitz, Michelle, Renee, Sheila, and Joey Riendeau, Seth Schmitz, Sara, Sam, Simon, and Amelia Schmitz, Angie, Mandy, Buckly, Matt, Cassie, and Tara Cota, Wendy, Jason and Kurt Remick, Christopher, Carly, and Caleb Novak, Ashley, Garrett and Leah Schmitz, Zach, Josh, Isaac and Ann Skalsky, Justin, Shawna, Heidi Steinbrink, Crystal, Chad, and Corey Tice, Brooke, Bailey and Hunter Schmitz; 26 great grandchildren, Emily and Nicole Riendeau, Jacob and Jordan Riendeau, Tyler, Branden, Allison, Nicholas, Morgan, and Issabella Plante, Adrianna, Mikayla, Jory, and Jenna Vasek, Brianna, Shelby, Jayden, and Blake Breiland, Payton Remick, Hannah Riendeau, Taylor, Kaydon, and Quinnlyn Kenfield, Clara Hermreck, Alexis and Gretchen Cota; brothers, Louie (Jean), Leonard, Tony (Crystal) and John (Rose) Schmitz; sisters, Elizebeth Guerard, Lucille Desotell, and Marilyn Newton; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joseph, Vincent, and David; sisters, Clarice Knott and Margeret Cuno.

Sylvester Schmitz died Thursday, August 2, 2007 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN at the age of 86 years and 5 days. May his memory be blessed.

Organist: Polly Beyer
Casketbearers: Sylvesters Sons
Gift Bearers: Sylvesters Daughters
Servers: Zachary Skalsky, Jacob and Jordan Riendeau
Ministers of Holy Communion: Sharon Riendeau, Mary Schmitz, Wayne Steinbrink, Margaret Toulouse, and Ed Pettit
Readers: Ashley Schmitz, Benjamin Schmitz
Special Music: Sylvesters Grandchildren
Petitions: Michelle Riendeau
Song Leaders: Amelia and Laura Schmitz
Taps: Seth & Garret Schmitz and Heidi Steinbrink