Mary Schmitz

Mary Schmitz of Belgium passed away peacefully on Monday, March 13, 2023, at Cedar Grove Gardens, where she had been residing for the last three months. She was 89 years old. 

Mary Leona was born in the Town of Holland on July 11, 1933, the daughter of Nicholas and Susan (nee Mayer) Bichler. 

She grew up on the family farm in Dacada. Mary attended St. Nicholas Catholic School and graduated from Random Lake High School with the Class of 1951.

After high school, Mary worked as a legal secretary in Port Washington. 

On Nov. 9, 1957, Mary was united in marriage with John R. Schmitz at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Dacada.  Shortly thereafter the couple moved to their home in Belgium to raise their family. 

Mary was a member of Divine Savior Parish, the Christian Women Society, the Luxemburg Cultural Center and an active member in the Catholic Knights, where she served as secretary of Branch 70 for many years. Mary made an impact by heading the St. Mary Lake Church parish auction and the Catholic Knights Make a Difference Day. 

She was an avid puzzle-maker, enjoyed family genealogy and loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 65 years, John, and their six children, Dr. William Schmitz, Daniel (Pam) Schmitz, Joan (Leonard) Novack, Ronald Schmitz, James (Kate) Schmitz and Jean (Calvin) VanEss. 

She is further survived by seven grandchildren, Eric (Molly) Hubbel, Rebecca Hubbel, Brandon (Jenna) Novack, Connor (Sarah) Novack, Nolan VanEss and Tara and Carter Schmitz; six great-grandchildren, Hensley and Hudson Novack, Caleb and Harlow Gerken and Gretchen and Auggie Hubbel; her siblings Robert (the late Mary Jo) Bichler, Nicholas (Mary Ann) Bichler and Thomas (Bonnie) Bichler; sisters-in-law Evelyn (the late Joe) Walber, Monica (the late Cyril) Schmitz, Barbara (the late Francis) Bichler and Marcia (the late Claudie Bichler and Don Fenner); many nieces; nephews; other family members; and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant grandson Jonah John VanEss, her siblings Cletus (the late Georgia) Bichler, Sister Philip Neri OSF, Clemens (the late Geraldine) Bichler, Coletta (the late Clarence) Schmidt, Claude Bichler, Vernon (the late Mildred) Bichler, Rita (the late Elden) Mondloch, Dorothy Bichler, Gregory (the late Terry) Bichler and Francis Bichler and her brothers and sisters-in-law Gilbert, Emil, Irvin, Nic, Alex, Arnold, Art, Cyril and Francis Schmitz and Clara Weyker Wellenstein, Grace Lanser and Helen Thomas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Divine Savior Parish, Holy Cross Chapel, 5330 County Hwy. B., Belgium.  Father Donald Thimm will preside over the Mass.

Visitation will take place at the church on Thursday, March 16, from 2:30 to 5:15 p.m.

She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Parish Cemetery in Lake Church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the MACC Fund. 

Eernisse Funeral Home, Belgium, is honored to serve the Schmitz family.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.