Glenn Jacob Schmitz
Glenn Jacob Schmitz age 87, of Sleepy Eye, passed away on March 7, 2023, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye, MN.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 17, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sturm Funeral Home, Springfield Chapel and will continue on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Springfield, MN. A prayer service led by Deacon Ronald Schmitz (Nephew of Glenn and Donna) will be held Friday evening at the funeral home at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Raphael Catholic Church on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Matthew Schmitz, LC (Glenn and Donna’s oldest grandson). Interment will be at St. Raphael Catholic Cemetery in Springfield, MN.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Glenn was born on the family farm west of Springfield on November 28, 1935, the fourth of six children of Leonard and Florence Schmitz. He attended country school, St. Raphael’s Catholic School, and Springfield High School, graduating in 1953. He worked on the family farm and served in the US Army in Korea from 1955-57. On June 14, 1958, Glenn was married to his high school sweetheart, Donna Jean Duea, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Mankato. The couple was married for 64 years. They raised seven children and are grandparents of 35 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Glenn was a lifelong member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. He worked at Kraft Foods in New Ulm, then began a 30-year banking career at State Bank of Springfield. In retirement he delivered Winnebago campers across the country. He served on many boards and service organizations including the Springfield City Council, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, and was an emeritus Board member of the John Birch Society. He lived by his priorities of God, family, country, and community. Glenn enjoyed golfing, hunting, visiting with family and friends and playing cards. Glenn’s grandchildren will remember his quick-witted humor, his great love for grandma Donna, his Rosary always in his pocket, and the magnetizing pull that Dairy Queen had on his car when they were in it.
He is survived by his wife Donna and seven children - Joseph (Jean) of Sauk Rapids, Jane (Paul) Stone of Minnetrista, Stephen (Carrie) of Maple Grove, John of Palm Harbor, FL, Paul (Regina) of Willmar, Andrew (Jolene) of St. Paul, and Mother Maria Mater Compassionis of Manila, Philippines; 35 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; brothers - Gilbert of Redwood Falls and Leo (Mary) of Springfield; sister, Angeline Schnobrich of Wayzata and many nieces and nephews. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, brother Loren, sister Gloria Luckow, brothers-in-law John Luckow, Roger Schnobrich, and Richard Duea, and sisters-in-law Tess Schmitz and Agnes Schmitz.
Memorial gifts may be directed to St. Raphael’s Catholic School, Springfield and Legionnaires of Christ, 30 Mansell Court, #103, Mansell, GA 30076
The family would like to thank the staff at Divine Providence Home, Carris Hospice, and MN Comfort Care for their excellent care.