WAUCOMA -- Bernard Henry Schmitt died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, West Union after a long illness.

A Funeral Mass was 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union with Rev. Dale Rausch as celebrant.

Interment was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, West Union with Ricky Kuennen, Randy Kuennen, Deano Kuennen, Matthew Kuennen, Kyle Kuennen, Daryl Kuennen, Kenny Lynch and Craig Schmitt as pall bearers.

Visitation was held Monday, Feb. 18 at Burnham-Wood Funeral Home with a 4 p.m. Parish Rosary, 7:30 p.m. Scripture Service and 8:15 p.m. K.C. Rosary.

Bernie was born Oct. 6, 1927 in St. Lucas, the son of Mathias and Celia (Blong) Schmitt. He attended St. Luke's Catholic School. On Oct. 5, 1950 he was united in marriage to Victoria Kuennen at St. Luke's Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Bernie served his country during the Korean War from Jan. 1951 until Oct. 1952. The couple farmed for a few years near West Union, then moved to Waucoma in 1962 where Bernie sold Watkins products, was coowner of the Waucoma Feed Mill and later sold insurance for several years. He did a lot of volunteer work and served on many boards of different organizations in Waucoma and also served as a board member of Palmer Lutheran Hospital. He was a member of Holy Name Rosary Society and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing, fishing and painting.

Survivors include his wife, Victoria; ten children, Gloria (Paul) Wagner, West Union, Sally (Michael) Hensley, Kerrville, TX, Susy (Ron) Kuennen, St. Lucas, Debbie (Gus) Kapnisis, Pyrgos, Greece, Kathy (43rian) Dunt, West Union, Michael (Janet) Schmitt, Waucoma, Mary (Ken) Bouska, Chatfield, MN, Mark (Karen) Schmitt,' New Hampton, Marlene (Terry) | Bouska, Hawkeye and Marvin (Traci) Schmitt, West Union; 26 grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; two brothers, Del (Shirley) Schmitt and Dan (Inez) Schmitt, all of West Union; two sisters, Sister Gracia Schmitt, Dubuque and Fran (Fred) Hemesath, Ossian and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, John, in infancy and one grandson, Jonathan Bouska.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; Feb. 22, 2002 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters