In loving memory of

Norma Schmitz

March 5, 1938 - January 31, 2018
From: Wall Lake, IA
Norma Schmitz

Norma Schmitz

Born: March 5, 1938
Died: January 31, 2018
Age: 79
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   Norma Marie (Heese) Schmitz, 79, of Milford, IA was born on March 5, 1938 in Earling, IA to Peter and Isabel (Wilwerding) Heese. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Earling, IA. Following graduation she married the love of her life, Jerry Schmitz, on February 12, 1958.  She went to business school in Omaha and worked at Union Pacific Railroad before they moved to Wall Lake, IA where they made their home and raised a family. Norma and Jerry built a successful business in Wall Lake, but her greatest role in life was that as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

   Norma’s talents were unending. She was a fantastic cook, seamstress, Cub Scout Den Mother, Religious Education teacher and most importantly a woman of strong faith. “Normie” as many knew her, would pray countless hours for people across the world. Her greatest testament to her faith was her unconditional love and care she gave to Jerry in the later years of his life. She spent every day by his side encouraging and supporting him.

   Although Norma never worked for Hallmark, many thought she might have because she had a wonderful talent of writing poems for many weddings, funerals, and family Christmas cards. She also never missed an occasion to send a card to those who needed a good laugh or a supporting word, always signing them “God’s Love, Normie.”

   Norma was so proud of her six children, 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren and her love for family knew no bounds. She loved going to all the sports activities and would spend hours playing games with her family. She was especially known for her love of the card game Euchre. Norma would stay up late in the night cooking, decorating and making sure every holiday was perfect. She baked the best homemade bread and cinnamon rolls and everyone loved her wonderful snack mix that she often made for her grandkid’s weddings.

   In 2005, Norma and Jerry moved to the Okoboji area and she currently lived in Heritage Landings in Milford. She was an active member in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Although Norma faced many health concerns she never complained and it didn’t slow her down.  Her doctors often described her as “spunky”. On Wednesday, January 31st Norma went to be with the Lord, with her family by her side.

 She is survived by her children  - Gregg & Sandy Schmitz, Wall Lake, IA; Michelle & Denis Schulte, Fort Dodge, IA; Gary & Malena Schmitz, Wall Lake, IA; Marla & Dean Dziedzic, Sioux Falls, SD; and Jerry (Jay) Schmitz, Sioux Falls, SD. Grandchildren – Matthew (April) Schmitz, North Liberty, IA; Bradley (Alison) Schmitz, Spirit Lake, IA; Megan (Thomas) Heidenreich, O’ Fallon, IL; Kyle Schulte, Emmetsburg, IA; Nicholas (Appalonia) Schulte, Sartell, MN; Ryan (Molly) Schulte, Cedar Falls, IA; McKenzie (Michael) Sandy, Spirit Lake, IA; Molly Dziedzic, Sioux Falls, SD; Jackson Dziedzic, Sioux Falls, SD; Brittany (James) Rumelhart, Story City, IA; and Cody (Jeanine) Askvig, Carroll, IA. Great-grandchildren - Tyson, Madox, & Morgan Schmitz; Landon, Bennett, & Bowen Schmitz; Charlotte, George, & Abigail Heidenreich; Riley & Adalyn Schulte; Aiden & Emalyn Rumelhart; Jason & Axel Askvig. Siblings – Sr. Elizabeth Heese, Milwaukee, WI; Mildred (Mic) Bieker, Harlan, IA; and Larry (Jeanne) Heese, Fairfax, IA. Numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.
    She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry and infant daughter Molly Marie, her parents Peter and Isabel and siblings, Dorothy, Rita, Owen, Bernice, Ed, Isabel and Helen. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

 



In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Norma's memory to the following causes:
South Dakota Make A Wish Foundation  @  www.southdakotawish.org
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation   @ www.cff.org 

SERVICES
10:30 a.m., Monday
February 5, 2018
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Wall Lake, Iowa
OFFICIATING
Father Joe Dillinger
Monsignor Kenneth Seifried
Father John McGuirk
Father Tim Johnson
Deacon Butch Stone
VISITATION
2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday
February 4, 2018
Vigil Service at 4:00 p.m.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Wall Lake, Iowa
INTERMENT
Wall Lake Cemetery
Wall Lake, Iowa

Condolences

Monday, February 12, 2018 at 10:28 AM
“Marla and family,
Reading through these beautiful memories of your mom makes me wish I had known her better! I'm so sorry we couldn't make it - weather rarely cooperates in winter. What great memories you have with your mom. I've heard it said that the memories we leave others is our most important legacy and it seems your mom has left nothing but sweet, funny and faith filled memories. Much love to your family.”
- Susan and Matt Stanley
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 4:03 PM
“Sis Julie and I were planning to attend the funeral. The weather deterred us. In another life, maybe not. On the farm in my youth, Larry operated equipment, Betty milked, and Norma collected eggs. When I was perhaps 8 or 9 and Norma was about 16 or 17, a critter killed a chicken one night. Norma had me accompany her to collect eggs the next morning. We were nervous (more like fearful) about encountering it in the hen house. Norma had me poke a broom handle under water coolers and other potential hiding places. Face it, none was likely to hide there during the day. But we poked here and there. I poked in one spot and there was a noise that sounded like a critter. She and I lit out for the door and bumped into each other like two cartoon characters fighting to get through the door. Larry looked into the crevice where we had poked. He brought out an old tin can on the end of the broom handle. Even Pete laughed. While dating Norma, Jerry came to visit her the farm. Larry idolized Jerry and his basketball skills, telling me he was the best player on the team - if not in the conference. Though there to see Norma, Jerry agreed to play ball with me. I was likely about 8 or so and he would have been 17maybe. Believe it or not I beat him two one-on-one games. Yes, I did. I was puzzled about the quality of ball players in the country. He would have been a foot taller than me. Later that day, I told Norma that I had beaten Jerry twice. She answered me with a straight face or so it seemed: "Gee, I thought he was better than that." Then I over heard Owen, I think, tell Jerry: "For Christ sake, that is going over board. You do not have to let Norma's snot-nosed nephews beet you in basketball to romance her." Norma truly equalled her sisters in compassion and love for everyone, especially those in need. Well, and Jerry too. Great folks! Worthy of everyone's love. My heart-felt sympathies”
- John (Jack) Hearn
Monday, February 5, 2018 at 2:37 PM
“Thoughts and prayers to all of Norma’s family. So hard to lose someone we love so much. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻”
- Teresa Drilling
Monday, February 5, 2018 at 2:37 PM
“AuntNorma was a wonderful lady. We enjoyed receiving Christmas cards about her growing family over the years. We were planning to attend the funeral services, but the weather will make it very risky for travel. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Always, Tom & Deb”
- Tom & Deb Graeve
Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 4:35 PM
“Dear Family, As it was stated Norma was a 'tiny giant' she walked her faith at every turn, event, and encounter in her life. Norma had a 'giving heart.' I will always remember her abundant kindness, smile and giggle as her eyes would light up and she would begin to visit. You will carry your mother in your hearts the rest of your lives. Pat McGill
”
- Pat McGill and Bill Mullin
Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 4:35 PM
“We are so sorry for your loss. Norma was such a wonderful lady. We will all miss her at St. Joseph. May God grant you comfort.”
- Joanne and Ted Lyons
Friday, February 2, 2018 at 9:32 AM
“Norma was so alive and full of fun! I loved being with her at our weekly Bible Studies, our monthly "Wonderful Ones" Luncheons, and as part of our Community of Apostolic Christians' Opus Spiritus Sancti community. It was always a treat to see and talk to Norma! With the sparkle in her eyes and her "tres chic" style of dressing and accessorizing, Norma seemed so youthful even as getting around became more difficult. While she dearly loved times spent with her Family, now she is back with her Jerry and with her loving God - forever young! Blessings for Peace and Comfort at this difficult time . . .”
- Molly Mulqueen
Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 10:05 PM
“Norma will always be one of the most wonderful, genuine, golden-hearted ladies I've ever known. Our deepest sympathies to you. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. What a privilege and joy to have known and loved both Norma and Jerry. Sending our love.”
- Nancy and Mitch Cubrich
Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 10:05 PM
“We are so glad to have known Norma even a little! What a wonderful woman-an angel among us.

With prayers and sympathy,

Lois and Jim Long”
- Lois and Jim Long
Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 5:00 PM
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Schmitz family. "Normie" was one of my favorites! She was so positive and kind.”
- Mark Hickerson
Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 5:00 PM
“ Marla and family, so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. While I know your faith foundation gives you the blessed assurance of knowing that you will be reunited, our time here and missing our loved ones is still difficult. Lean into the wonderful memories to carry you through. Holding you and your family in prayer. With deepest sympathy, Ruth Grady ”
- Ruth Grady
Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 5:00 PM
“To Norma’s family Don and I hold you all in our thoughts and prayers. Mothers are so special. Hold them in your hearts forever and Remember all your wonderful memories. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. God will comfort you. She is an angel now.”
- Do and Donna Tjaden
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 6:02 PM
“The world has truly lost a beautiful woman. She will be sadly missed by a lot of the citizens of Wall Lake. Our heartfelt condolences to the family. ”
- Steve & Mary Druivenga
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