Liselotte E. "Lilo" Schmitz

1929 - 2024

St. Peter - Liselotte (Lilo) Eugenie Schmitz, age 95, of St. Peter, MN died peacefully with her long-time companion and Guardian Angel, Jerry Stamps, next to her, which is exactly how she would have wanted to pass from earth to heaven.

Lilo lived a wonderful and long life. Born near Ulm, Germany, she faced her formative years while living through World War II. Years after the war ended when Ulm was celebrating its 1100th year anniversary, the nearby-stationed soldiers from New Ulm, MN joined the festivities-where Lilo caught the eye of a young soldier named Robert (Bob) Schmitz. She left her family in Germany to come to America to marry Bob. They had a beautiful 50-year marriage and raised their five children in St. Peter. After Bob's death in 2007, Lilo faced medical complications, including a broken leg, breast cancer, brain tumor, COVID, and other ER trips. She battled through them all with dignity and grace, grateful for everyone who touched her life.

Lilo began her next chapter when she met her "gentleman friend". Jerry was a constant companion to Lilo for the past 15 years, after the death of his beloved wife, Ginny. Lilo and Jerry were a dynamic duo in St. Peter as they were regulars at all of St. Peter's restaurants and the Catholic Church. In addition, together they enjoyed sitting at McDonald's eating chocolate chip cookies and counting the number of semis driving by on Hwy 169 and evening drives in the countryside to see how tall the corn had grown.

Known as "Omi" to many, this was her favorite role, as grandmother to 14: Devin, Derek, Marina, and Marcus Schmitz; Dylan and Kelton Schmitz; Michaela (Nate Palmer, baby Palmer due in February) and Mariah Speak; Katrina (Quincy Chambers), Amelia, and Denver Herring; Owen, Andrew, and Julia Finn. She is also survived by all five children and their spouses, Dieter (Elisa), Tom (Kim), Heidi (Ken Carlson), Monica (Mike Lunderberg), and Susan (Steve Finn). In addition, she is survived and loved by Jerry Stamps and his daughters and their families, Cathy (Pat Berger, Leo, Ellie, Gus), Patrice (Dave Pieczynski), and Kris. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Robert Schmitz and her brother Werner Kunz. She is survived by her German family, including her sister Renate (Kurt Holdermann), sister-in-law Ellen Kunz and her niece and 5 nephews.

Although our hearts are heavy, we continue to live as she would want us. As she would tell all-family, friends, and total strangers--"I love you." Let's continue her legacy and make sure everyone knows they are loved.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024 at the St. Peter Catholic Church in St. Peter, with Monsignor Douglas Grams celebrating the mass. Private interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on October 15 so she can rest in peace with Bob.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to John Ireland Catholic School or the New Ulm Area Foundation.