This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zk.2ADI/2037 Message Board Post: Denison (IA) Bulletin-Review 10/28/2005 Francis A. Schmitz Francis A. Schmitz was born at Westphalia, Iowa, December 26, 1919, the son of Adolph and Therese Musich Schmitz. He received his education at St. Boniface Catholic School in Westphalia, from which he was graduated in June of 1938. On November 17, 1948, Francis was united in marriage with Norma Leuschen at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. After their marriage he farmed in the Dow City area, retiring in 1979 to Denison. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and traveling on tours. Francis was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, and at the time of his death, he had held the longest continuous membership in the Denison Council #2074, Knights of Columbus. Francis died Friday evening, October 21, 2005, at the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 85 years, 9 months and 25 days. Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Therese Schmitz, and one sister, Mary Ann Klein. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife, Norma Schmitz of Denison, Iowa; four sisters, Delores Obrecht of Harlan, Iowa; Verdella and husband, John Schill of Omaha, Nebraska; Verelda Schwery of Harlan, Iowa and Theresa and husband, Gerald Goetz of Irwin, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2005, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa, with Father Edward Murray as Celebrant. Others participating in the mass included servers, Jeremy Baxa, Alec Ruskell and Christina Madsen; Lector, Kris Lehan and Eucharistic Ministers, Nora Millea, Ann Delanty and Tudy Bretey. Music for the mass was provided by the St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing Here I Am, Lord, Be Not Afraid, Prayer of St. Francis and Precious Lord, Take My Hand with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist. Pallbearers included Darrell Klein, David Obrecht, Keith Schwery, John Goetz, Robert Goetz and Jerry Goetz. Interment was at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Denison. Following the services the family invited all in attendance to join them at the Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. On Tuesday, October 25, 2005, a Legion of Mary Rosary was prayed at 4:00 p.m., a Parish Vigil service was held at 7:00 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary was prayed at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.