BERNARD JOHN SCHMITZ

Bernard J. Schmitz, 90 of Devils Lake formerly of Foxholm ND passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Jason Asselin will celebrate the Mass. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers will be members of the National Guard. Reading the Scriptures will be Peter and Nancy Goeser. Music will be provided by Patty Cote. Bernard John, son of Herman and Gertrude (Keller) Schmitz was born on June 11, 1921, at Foxholm, ND, where he was raised and educated. He joined the CCC (Conservation Civilian Corp) and worked on many projects including Lake Darling Dam and a special project in northern Minnesota. Bernard entered the United States Army on July 23, 1942, at Fort Snelling, MN. He served his country during World War II in the European African Middle East Theater and was honorably discharged on January 17, 1946 with the rank of Corporal. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart as a result of being wounded in action. Bernard was united in marriage to Virginia Ackerman on August 25, 1947 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kenmare, ND. They established their home on the Schmitz family farm at Foxholm. Bernard later began on the job training as an optician in Minot, working for Bausch & Lomb. The family moved to Devils Lake and Bernard worked for Dr. Galloway, Dr. Vern Otis, Dr. Wysocki, Dr. Krein and Dr. Moen until he retired in 1995. Bernard was a member of the VFW and Elks Lodge. He enjoyed remodeling and gardening. Bernard was a loving and devoted husband, dad and grandpa and great grandpa. He was so special in the lives of all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Bernard is survived by Virginia, his wife of 64 years; daughters Nancy (Peter) Goeser of Carlin, NV and Jane (Bryan) Guedesse of Hamilton, IL; sons Randy Schmitz of Jamestown, ND, Chuck (Bonnie) Schmitz of Jamestown and Jim (Lynn) Schmitz of Minneapolis, MN; nine grandchildren Daren (Jovan) Martin, Shawn (Hilary) Schmitz, Randy Schmitz Jr., Cindy Schmitz, Michael Schmitz, Niki Schmitz, Holly (Mike) Cosgrove, Larisa (Todd) Jackson and Wendy (David) Boos; great grandchildren Alyson Martin, Sabrina Schmitz, Michael Schmitz Jr.; Zachary and Allison Boos; brother, David Schmitz of Kenmare, ND; sisters Carol Feuillerat of Rapid City, SD, Adeline Schweitzer also of Rapid City; sisters-in-law Betty Schmitz of Cedar Rapids, IA and Barbara (Merwyn) Johnson of Cando, ND and nieces, nephews and cousins. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter Brianne Guedesse; brothers Leo, Alvin and Bill Schmitz.