Adrian C. Schmitz

Adrian Clarence Schmitz, age 88, formerly of N8156 Sunset Drive, St. Peter, died Sunday, January 24, 2010 at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home. He was born on March 5, 1921 in Johnsburg, the son of Michael and Frances (Kiersten) Schmitz. He completed elementary school early and began his passion for farming. On October 22, 1947 he married Viola Schmitz at the Church of The Blessed Virgin, Marytown. Together, they successfully owned and operated the Schmitz Family Farm on County Trunk Q in Johnsburg. The homestead has been in the Schmitz name for the past 145 years and still continues today. Over the years it has received much recognition and numerous awards. Adrian was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg, Knights of Columbus No. 664, the Farm Bureau, and the Holy Name Society. He served on the AMPI Board for fourteen years, the Malone Co-op board for ten years, the St. Mary's Springs High School Board for twenty years, the Tom Ottery Transit and Indianapolis Marketing Boards for fourteen years, and the Citizens for Educational Freedom State Board. Adrian was involved in the forming of the Consolidated Parochial Education System (CPES) and served on its board for three terms. He served as a trustee on the St. John's Parish Building Committee and also was member of the New Holstein School Board.Through his efforts with the State Historical Society and the parish history, Adrian obtained a state historical marker in honor of Rev. Casper Rehrl, the first residential pastor and founder of many area churches. The marker was given to St. John the Baptist Church for its sesquicentennial celebration in 1991. Two years later, he obtained a second marker designating the church as Wisconsin's oldest Catholic church north of Milwaukee.SURVIVORS: Ronald (Mary Ann) Schmitz of St. Augustine, FL, Marilyn (Gordon) Krueger of Fond du Lac, A. Michael (June) of San Antonio, TX, Sharon (John) Birkhauser of Lake Forest, IL, Sandy (Gerry) Scudella of Fond du Lac, seven grandchildren, Sheila (John) Nasgovitz, Brian (Kris) Krueger, Angie (Mark) Kramer, Jennifer Schmitz, Jonathan (Vanessa) Schmitz, Ryan and Claire Birkhauser, four great-grandchildren. He is further survived by two sisters, Lorraine Havey of Fond du Lac, Genevieve Seefeld of Fond du Lac, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alvin Schmitz and Dolores Schmitz, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Viola on May 23, 2008, one son, Adrian Jr. in December of 1976, five brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law.



VISITATION: Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 4-8 P.M. at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave. FUNERAL: Friday, January 29, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at St John the Baptist Church, Johnsburg with the Reverend Joseph Coerber officiating. Entombment will follow at Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home for their loving and compassionate care.Additional information and guestbook can be found at www.ueckerwitt.comUecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.