SCHMITZ, Louis William 1937-2017

SCHMITZ, BOVY, BECKER

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/12/2018 at 12:36:00

Louis William Schmitz

December 18, 1937 - December 29, 2017

Louis William Schmitz, 80, of Gilbertville, died Friday, Dec. 29th at Lee Memorial Health Park Medical Center, Fort Myers, Florida (his winter residence) of complications from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

He was born December 18, 1937, south of Gilbertville, Iowa, in Black Hawk County, the son of Chris and Magdlen Bovy Schmitz. He married Theresa A. Becker on February 13, 1961, in Immaculate Conception Church, Gilbertville, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and just recently attended an Honor Flight to the Washington Memorials with his son Pat.

Louis worked for Chamberlain Manufacturing as a Draftsman/Project Engineer early in his career, and later moved to Deco Tool Supply in Waterloo, Iowa, where he worked 32 years as an Engineer, and Industrial Tool Salesman.

He was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilbertville, Iowa, and was instrumental in the church beautification project. He was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He enjoyed being a member of the American Legion Nugent - Demuth Post 714, and was a past Commander. One of his proudest contributions to the community was the design and construction of the Veterans Memorial Park in Gilbertville, Iowa. He took great pride in making sure the legacy of our servicemen and servicewomen were proudly honored.

Louis was an avid wood carver for most of his life, and member of the Northeast Iowa Woodcarvers Association.

Louis took great enjoyment in his family, his grandchildren, and most recently great grandchildren. He was always busy helping family and friends with projects. His design and mechanical talents were numerous, and appreciated by many.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Theresa (Terri) of Gilbertville, Iowa; two daughters, Pamela (Richard) Delagardelle of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Paula (Vincent) McFadden of Gilbertville, Iowa; a son, Patrick of Delhi, Iowa; 13 grandchildren: Andrea (Chad) Watkinson, Jacob Delagardelle, Kate (Austin) Appel, Abigail and Annalise Delagardelle, Shane McFadden, Megan McFadden, Collin McFadden, Erin McFadden, Sean McFadden, Marissa McFadden, Ryan McFadden, and Jenna Schmitz; two great-grandchildren, Everett and Noah Louis Watkinson; a sister, Marilyn Demuth, and by four brothers: Eugene (Rosemary) Schmitz, Gary (Barbara) Schmitz, Lee (Dorothy) Schmitz, Robert (Ruth) Schmitz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by one brother and his wife, Wayne and Wanda Schmitz; by one brother-in-law, Don Demuth; and by a sister, Mary Ann, in infancy.

Services will be 10:30 am Friday January 5th at Immaculate Conception Church in Gilbertville, IA with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Raymond, IA, where full military rites will be conducted by the Nugent - Demuth American Legion Post 714 and the Iowa Army Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 3 until 8 p.m. Thursday, January 4th, at Immaculate Conception Church in Gilbertville, IA, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. Catholic Oder of Foresters rosary and a 7 p.m. Vigil and time for sharing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Bosco Catholic School System, and Allen Foundation.

Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on South Street is in charge of arrangements.

SOURCE: Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service website