Eunice Anne Schmieg

Eunice Schmieg, age 88, of Ortonville, MN, died on August 18, 2023, at Fairway View Neighborhoods in Ortonville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City, SD. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Inurnment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Rosen, MN.

Eunice Anne (Strei) Schmieg was born on July 25, 1935, in Ortonville, MN. She was the daughter of Cecelia (Karels) and Joseph Strei. Eunice grew up on a farm near Rosen, MN. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Rosen until eighth grade. She then attended a Girls Academy in Crookston, MN, graduating in 1953. She earned a scholarship to attend St. Catherine’s College in St. Paul, MN, and studied elementary education. She taught in Melrose Township Country School for two years. She then taught CCD at Rosen for ten years. During that time, she met Daniel Schmieg. On October 13, 1956, she and Dan were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rosen, MN. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage and six children: four daughters and two sons. They also gave a loving home to several nieces and nephews. Several grandchildren got to spend their summer vacations with Papa Dan and Eunice on their farm near Big Stone City, SD, on the Whetstone River.

After Eunice and Dan’s children were in school, Eunice worked as a CNA at St. William’s Nursing Home (1976-1978) and at Northridge Residence in Ortonville for 20 years (1978-1997). In 2017, she moved from the farm to Fairway View Neighborhoods.

One of Eunice’s highlights was when she and Dan stayed in Germany for a few months with a family Dan met while previously stationed there. Eunice enjoyed seeing how people lived in Germany and was impressed with how clean and tidy everything was kept. They were able to partake in an authentic Octoberfest celebration. Later, Eunice and Dan were able to host their German friends at their farm.

Eunice and Dan enjoyed wintering in Texas for nearly 18 years after Dan’s retirement. She loved gardening and flowers, and she enjoyed living on the farm. She enjoyed reading, babysitting, and taking care of her grandkids. In McAllen, TX, she enjoyed going to listen to live music and playing cards. She loved celebrating her kids’ birthdays and made sure their day was special. She loved to share her favorite summer drink, brandy slush, at any and every event or gathering.

Eunice is survived by her children: Debbie (Pat) McCormick of Redmond, WA; Mary (Rod) Fenhaus of Corona, SD; and Tony Schmieg of Big Stone City, SD; daughter-in-law, Brenda Schmieg of Big Stone City, SD; sisters: Eileen Christopherson of St. Paul, MN; and Sister Evelyn Strei of Crookston, MN; brothers: Donald Strei of Minneapolis, MN; Joe (Kathy) Strei of Madison, MN; Jerry Strei of Largo, FL; grandchildren: Kelly (Hayley Gardner) McCormick, Casey (Jasmine) McCormick, Michael (Christa) McCormick, Katie (Ryan) Murphy, Brandon (Jada) Schmieg, Brianna (Craig) Kirchberg, Keenan Schmieg, Rachel (Shane) Schmitz, Jessica Fenhaus, and Logan Fenhaus; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Cecelia; husband Daniel; daughters: Natalie Holmquist, and Cynthia Dornbusch; son, Randy Schmieg; siblings: Tom Strei, Ken Strei, Father Jerome Strei, Phyllis Mueller, Rosemary Kelzer, Cleora Strei, infant great-granddaughter, and Brooklyn Schmieg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City, SD.