Sheila Schmitz

A Mass of Christian Burial for Sheila Schmitz, age 58 of Spirit Lake, will be held Friday, May 24, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. A visitation for Sheila will be on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:00-7:00 PM with a Parish Scripture Service at 5:00 PM at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.

Sheila Marie (Funk) Schmitz, was born July 23, 1965, in Richardton, North Dakota to Nicholas and JoAnn Funk. They later moved their growing family to Red Lake Falls, MN, where Sheila graduated from Lafayette High School. She attended Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN and received her degree in Elementary Education.

On May 27, 1989, Sheila married her high school sweetheart Steve Schmitz, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. They lived in Roseau, MN, where Sheila began a fourteen year career with Polaris, holding a variety of administrative roles on the Operations and Engineering teams in Roseau, and also in Spirit Lake, IA, where they relocated to in 1994.

Sheila's greatest joy of all was family, and she absolutely adored her four boys Tyler, Matthew, Ryan, and Ben. She treasured being mom, supporting them in their many activities growing up, and was their rock as each one ventured out on their own.

Sheila had an abundant sense of adventure and love for the outdoors. She loved to travel, explore and hike, logging countless miles on trails throughout the US. One of the most challenging being a twelve hour trek to the summit of Mt. St. Helens, just six years ago.  She took great joy in planting and nurturing hundreds of colorful flowers that brightened the yard each year, and were a true reflection of her beauty.  Sheila had a keen sense for decorating, amazing the boys with beautiful transformations of their home throughout each season, especially during Christmas (no such thing as too many Christmas trees or nutcrackers).  When the boys were young, she was active in religious education at St. Mary's, and the Moms & Tots organization.  Sheila had a consistent, incredibly positive outlook on life.  The warmth of her captivating smile, kindness, patience, and ability to listen with care were gifts she readily shared with all those around her.

Sheila passed away at the age of 58 on May 17th, 2024, at her home with family by her side.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Schmitz; her wonderful boys, Tyler Schmitz, Matthew (fiancée, Clara) Schmitz, Ryan Schmitz and Ben Schmitz; mother and stepfather, JoAnn and Wallace Hoselton; sisters, Christy (Steve) Leiser and Nicole (Chris) Lasota; brothers, Bryan Funk, Terry (Jackie) Funk, Darrin (Kristi) Funk, Kelly (Jamie) Funk, Curtis (Kristin) Funk and John Hoselton; mother-in-law, Joan Schmitz; brothers in-law, Mike (Gadu) Schmitz and Mark (Jolene) Schmitz; many, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Sheila was preceded in death by her father, Nicholas Funk; father-in-law, Arthur Schmitz; brother-in-law, Gregory Schmitz.