Lucille H. Schmitz, 87

Lucille H. Schmitz, age 87, of New Prague died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at her home.  Lucille was born on September 2, 1931, in Belle Plaine Township, Scott County, MN to Martin and Katherine (Michel) Neisen.  She attended country school, married Ralph J. Schmitz on September 2, 1950 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill, and the couple farmed and raised their family of eleven children on their farm near St. Benedict.  They moved into New Prague in 1992 and Lucille found fulfillment as a paraprofessional at the Minnesota River Valley Special Ed Co-op.  She also loved serving as a volunteer in the St. Wenceslaus School kitchen and at the Dorothy Day Center.  She was a member of the St. Benedict Council of Catholic Women and the Queen of Peace Hospital Auxiliary.  She was an avid card player and played on the hospital’s Card-o-Rama and a number of other card clubs.  She had a beautiful garden and enjoyed canning the fruits of her garden; cooking, baking, and quilting rounded out other leisure activities.  Lucille was outgoing and loved people.  Time with her family and friends was precious throughout her life and she loved nothing more than traveling with her children and grandchildren and any time spent with them.

Lucille is survived by her children, Sally (Ken) Tupy of New Prague, Sharon (Charlie) Wagner of New Prague, Kathy (Gary) Pikal of New Prague, Mary (Marvin) Kubes of New Prague, Shirley (Mike) Carney of Belle Plaine, Roger (Amy) Schmitz of New Prague, Laureen Wermerskirchen (Matt Lehman) of Henderson, Tom (Shari) Schmitz of New Prague, Chris (Randy) Jabs of New Prague, Steve (Stacy) Schmitz of New Prague, Gordie (Ann) Schmitz of New Prague; brother-in-law, Richard Meger of Le Center; sisters-in-law, Amanda Shimota of New Prague, Leona Barten of Belle Plaine; 35 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband Ralph, December 1, 2000; parents; sisters, Cyrilla Klinkhammer, Leona Mager, Gertrude Meger, Viola Weiers; brothers, Bert, Steven & Norbert Neisen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 10 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Eugene Theisen and Father Kevin Clinton concelebrating.  Eulogy will be delivered at church at 9:45 AM.  Visitation will take place at Bruzek Funeral Home on Tuesday from 3 – 7:30 PM and on Wednesday morning from 7:30 – 9:15 AM.  Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery followed by lunch at the KC Hall.  bruzekfuneralhome.com