Erwin Schmitz

1931 - 2021

Schmitz, Erwin John

BEAR VALLEY - As it was snowing outside, surrounded with love from his wife and daughters, with the clouds parted and the sun shining on him, Erwin John Schmitz, 89, entered into eternal peace on Feb. 13, 2021.

On a snowy March 29, 1931, Erwin was born in Bear Valley, Wis., to Peter and Anna (Bissen) Schmitz, the youngest of 10 children. A graduate of Lone Rock High School, 1949, he excelled in basketball, baseball and boxing. Erwin continued to play baseball for Lone Rock and Plain home talent teams, then played on St. Kilian's Church slow pitch team.

He married Mary Ann "Lindy" Hetzel on Aug. 10, 1954, at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Plain, Wis., and lived in Bear Valley. Erwin loved being a dairy farmer, running the farm and Schmitz Bear Valley Cheese Factory with his two older brothers, Francis and Joe.

His greatest love was his wife, Lindy, and five daughters. He shared his love of faith, farming, fishing, trapping, slow pitch, and basketball. Yearly fishing vacations up north were treasured moments.

He enjoyed attending sporting events, especially watching his girls play basketball, and later attending his grandchildren's activities. He loved various road trips with family. Witnessing his grandson, Father Scott, ordained a deacon at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was special.

Erwin is survived by Lindy, his wife of 66 years; his five daughters, Diane (Steve) Emerson, Jean (Mike) Tretow, Lynne (Bob) Tretow, Ann (Mark) Lins, and Julie (Leonard) Barske; 14 grandchildren, Steven (Kim), Michael (Mary), Father Scott, and Tim (Mandy) Emerson, Paul (Holly), Ryan, and Nick Tretow, Sarah, Matthew, Greg, and Paul Lins, and Elizabeth, Jack, and Luke Barske. six great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Kaylie, and Jacob Emerson, Brianna, Caleb, and Jared Emerson; his brother, Joe (Catherine); and sister-in-law, Jean (Dick) Heiser; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Gregory, Eva, Gertrude, Zita, Leonard, Rita, Francis, and Anna Marie.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 20 at STAFFORD FUNERAL HOME, Richland Center, from 9-11 a.m. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held. Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com. The Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.