Vincent A. Schmitz, 75

Red Lake Falls - Vincent A. Schmitz, 75, died on Saturday, August 22, 1998 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Mass of Christian burial was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls with Father Tim Bushy officiating. Kathie Knott was the organist, and special music was provided by St. Joseph's Church Choir. Neil Beyer was the reader. Casketbearers were Joe Guerard, Gale Schmitz, Joel Schmitz, Doug Knott, Reaume Desotell and Jeff Schmitz. Honorary casketbearers were all the current and former employees of Red Lake Electric. Burial was in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. The Petterson Funeral Home of Red Lake Falls was in charge of the arrangements.

Vincent Arthur Schmitz was born on January 8, 1923 in Red Lake Falls, the son of John and Anna (Pahlen) Schmitz. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls.

He entered the U.S. Navy on May 12, 1943 and was honorably discharged on November 24, 1944.

On April 30, 1947 Vincent was united in marriage to Helen Miller at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. He began working at Red Lake Electric Cooperative in Red Lake Falls on April 19, 1945 and retired on January 8, 1985.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He served on St. Joseph's school board and was Blue Line Club member. Vincent enjoyed hunting, camping and spending time with his grandchildren. He took pride in his yard and enjoyed setting up a display of Christmas lights.

Vincent is survived by his wife, Helen of Red Lake Falls; six daughters, Marlene (George) Neys of Warren, Charlotte (Tim) Erickson of Roseau, Bonnie (Les) Olson of Wellington, CO, Paulette (Neil) Beyer of Red Lake Falls, Connie Dufault of Red Lake Falls, Valerie (Richard) Cairns of Arlington, TX; two sons, Michael (Karen) Schmitz of Arlington, TX and Lawrence (Felicia) Schmitz of West Concord; 20 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; four sisters, Elizabeth Guerard of Minot, ND, Lucille Desotell of Clariss, Clarice Knott of Red Lake Falls and Marilyn Newton of Euclid; and five brothers, Sylvester Schmitz of Red Lake Falls, Louis Schmitz of Farmington, Leonard Schmitz of Farmington, John Schmitz of Thief River Falls and Anthony Schmitz of Bagley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Timothy in 1980; one sister, Margaret Cuno; and two brothers, Joseph and David.