Obit: Schmitz, Lamar #3 ( 1930 - 2012)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Schmitz, Heinrich, Ott,

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI) 10 Oct, 2012

Schmitz, Lamar (31 Mar 1930-06 Oct 2012)

Lamar A. Schmitz, 82, Neillsville, was called home to be reunited with his son, Daniel, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the Neillsville Care and rehabilitation Center. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Neillsville. Rev. Timothy Biebert officiated. Interment took place in the Town of Lynn Cemetery. Serving as casket bearers were his grandchildren and honorary casket bearers were his great grandchildren.

Lamar Arnold Schmitz was born on March 31, 1930, at home in the township of Lynn, to George and Dorothy (nee Heinrich) Schmitz, He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nasonville and recently was an active member of St. John;s Lutheran Church in Neillsville where he served on the church council and as an usher. He received his education in the Town of Lynn and graduated from Marshfield High school in 1948. He married Thelma June Ott on Aug. 6, 1949, at her parents’ home as St. John’s Lutheran Church was under construction. They owned a small grocery store in Marshfield and farmed with Thelma’s parents for a short time. They moved to Abbotsford in 1954 to manage Afkends IGA store and he worked for A.M.P.I. in Green Bay. In 1964 they purchased a grocery store and meat market with the helping hand of their children, which was called Schmitz Family Market in Neillsville. Later they converted the store into a restaurant and called it Mr. Schmitty’s. They sold that in 1984 and Lamar went to work for Crafts Trading Center and Urban Sales and service, and he drove for Abby Vans until his retirement in 2011. He had perfect attendance for the Lion’s Club meetings for 50+ years. He was a long-time member of the Neillsville Chamber of Commerce and held many offices. He played Santa Claus for more than 60 years. The children were the joy of his life, but he never forgot the real meanibg of Christmas. His hobbies were camping, yard work and cooking on the grill. His favorite times were when he could spend time with his grandchildren far and near, and attending their sports and school functions.

Lamar is survived by his wife of 63 years, Thelma; three sons, Dick (Beth) Schmitz, Chilton, Duane (Lynn) Schmitz, Maplewood, Minn., and Dean Schmitz and good friend Dan Johnson, Chippewa Falls; one daughter, Darla (Grant) Harder, Greenwood; nine grandchildren, Rick (Emily) Schmitz, Christina (Tom) Blindgauer, Alex and Aric Schmitz, Luke (Jessica) Harder, Rachel (Robert Lilly) Harder, Joseph Harder, Samuel Harder and David Harder; four great-grandchildren, Travis and Kayla Schmitz and Dayton and Daisy Harder; and three siblings, Jerry (Lila) Schmitz, Ronald (Shelly) Schmitz and Betty Tasse.

He was preceded in death by a son Daniel Lee in 1972; his parents; and a brother-in-law, Cyril.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com

The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, assisted the family with arrangements.