Susan M Schmitz

Susan M. Schmitz May 20, 1916 - April 10, 2015

Susan M. Schmitz, age 98, of Faribault, MN, passed away Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center in Northfield, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Dr., Faribault. Interment will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Thursday from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. and on Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Susan Marie, the daughter of Mike and Mary (Wagner) Ludwig, was born May 20, 1916 at her home in Bridgewater Township, Rice County, MN. Sue attended country school at the Forest Township School and went to BA for one year before leaving school to help her parents on their farm. In addition to helping her parents, Sue helped many neighbors and her aunts with household duties. On October 3, 1940, she was united in marriage to Edward Schmitz at the St. Lawrence Church in Faribault. Their Catholic faith was important to them, always attending Mass each Sunday. After their marriage, Sue worked side by side with Ed on the family farm in Bridgewater Township until 1973 when they moved to the Forest Township farm. Sue began learning to quilt at her mother''s side. Together they made many quilts for Church, Courage Center, and Faribault Hospice. Then she began generously giving her quilts to her descendants plus many friends and acquaintances. Her hand quilting was very precise, neat, artistic, and she had a good sense of color and great math skills to assemble the quilts. Sue started her day with prayers during her good long brisk walk, planned wholesome meals for Ed, journaled, and then enjoyed her day quilting, and of course, evening prayers, and a good game of poker or euchre with Ed and friends. Sue was a charter member of the Card and Clatter Club, a neighborhood group of women, and was an active participant for 40 years. They moved to Cardinal Pointe Senior Living, Faribault, in 2003. While there, they soon made many close friends and organized a card group. Sue also continued making many baby quilts. When Sue and Ed''s health diminished in 2008, they moved into the Long Term Care Center,

Northfield, where they soon felt at home with the wonderful cares given by the nurses and care givers. Sue enjoyed the quilt groups at Church, helping with the Rosary Society at St. Lawrence serving funeral lunches and also was a faithful member of the St. Lawrence/St. Ann Society.

Sue and Ed were married 72 years before Ed passed away in March 2013. Surviving Sue are her seven children, Carol Ernste of Faribault, Bill (Anne Polese) Schmitz of Downingtown, PA, Don (Jeanne) Schmitz of St. Paul, MN, Patty (Dan) Pflaum of Nerstrand, MN, Tom (Faye) Schmitz of Dundas, MN, Jan (Glenn) Scarlett of Hoschton, GA, and Teresa (Mike) Smith of Cannon Falls, MN; 21 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; sister, Agnes Hole of Erskine, MN; three sisters-in-law, Lorraine, Louise, and Imelda Ludwig; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; her parents; grandson, Cory Ernste; son- in-law, Richard Ernste; brothers, Anthony (Pat), Hank, Fran, Barney, Jim, and one sister, Betty.

Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Academy, Divine Mercy Catholic Church, or the donor's choice in memory of Sue.

For those attending the funeral, may we advise that you bring a quilt, pillow, or potholder that Mom had made as a sign of her love to you. Please place in the pew near you.