Herman Joseph Schmitz, 93, of Norfolk, NE. formerly of Petersburg, NE., passed away Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk, NE.
Herman, son of Joseph J. and Margaret (Grindler) Schmitz, was born October 27, 1918, in Petersburg, Nebraska.
Herman was baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and attended St. John the Baptist School until the 8th grade. After receiving his G.E.D. from Petersburg Public School he attended Northeast Community College where he earned an associate's degree.
In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1946 having earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his time in the army he attended field artillery school, was a drill instructor, and received many medals including the Army Commendation War Department Medal for destroying Japanese war materials.
On August 26, 1947, Herman was united in marriage to Gertrude Schmitz at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Clearwater, Nebraska.
The couple made their home on a ranch west of Petersburg until 1956 when they moved into town.
Herman owned and operated the Schmitz Insurance Agency for 30 years.
Herman was very active within his community and church. As a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Church he was active as a choir member and lector. He also was involved with the church council and Holy Name Society.
From 1960-1993 he was a scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts of America Troop #216. During his time as scoutmaster he received many awards including: Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow Award, Silver Beaver Award, St. George Award, Scoutmaster Key and Woodbadge Award. The highlight of his scoutmaster career was helping scouts obtain the Eagle Scouting Award.
Herman served on the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, was an EMT, and was also a member of D.A.V., V.F.W. and the American Legion Post #334. Within the American Legion he was a life member and also served as Sergeant of Arms from 1946-2003.
He was also a member of Petersburg Commercial Club since 1956, the Country Spinners Square Dance Club of Oakdale and was one of the initial officers who helped organize the Senior Citizen Center in Petersburg.
Herman also received the Aksarben Neighbor of the Year Award and the Outstanding Senior Citizen award. He enjoyed entertaining others, playing his harmonica with the Elkhorn Valley Fiddlers, the Happy Kids Kitchen Band at the Senior Center and at campfire events and scout outings.
On October 3, 2003, Herman entered the Nebraska Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Herman is survived by: son John and wife Lisa of Norfolk, NE; 2 daughters: Alice Petersen and husband Mark of Hubbard, NE; Margaret Wicks and husband Randy of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Katie Schmitz, Rachel (Josh) Schmitz, Kelsey, Mckenzie & Megan Petersen, Tim (Amy) Wicks, Greg (Laura) Wicks, and Tonya (Joe) McQuirk; sisters: Margaret Seier of Petersburg, NE; Sister Gretta Schmitz of Rhodell, WV; brother: Father Robert Schmitz of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law: Betty Schmitz of Albion, NE. and a host of relatives and friends.
Herman was preceded in death by: parents, Joseph and Margaret Schmitz; his wife Gertrude; daughters: Rose Schmitz and Catherine Cauthorn; sisters: Theresa Scholl and Agnes Millner; and brothers: Albert, Leonard and George Schmitz.
Interment was in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, Petersburg, NE.
Herman, son of Joseph J. and Margaret (Grindler) Schmitz, was born October 27, 1918, in Petersburg, Nebraska.
Herman was baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and attended St. John the Baptist School until the 8th grade. After receiving his G.E.D. from Petersburg Public School he attended Northeast Community College where he earned an associate's degree.
In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1946 having earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his time in the army he attended field artillery school, was a drill instructor, and received many medals including the Army Commendation War Department Medal for destroying Japanese war materials.
On August 26, 1947, Herman was united in marriage to Gertrude Schmitz at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Clearwater, Nebraska.
The couple made their home on a ranch west of Petersburg until 1956 when they moved into town.
Herman owned and operated the Schmitz Insurance Agency for 30 years.
Herman was very active within his community and church. As a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Church he was active as a choir member and lector. He also was involved with the church council and Holy Name Society.
From 1960-1993 he was a scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts of America Troop #216. During his time as scoutmaster he received many awards including: Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow Award, Silver Beaver Award, St. George Award, Scoutmaster Key and Woodbadge Award. The highlight of his scoutmaster career was helping scouts obtain the Eagle Scouting Award.
Herman served on the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, was an EMT, and was also a member of D.A.V., V.F.W. and the American Legion Post #334. Within the American Legion he was a life member and also served as Sergeant of Arms from 1946-2003.
He was also a member of Petersburg Commercial Club since 1956, the Country Spinners Square Dance Club of Oakdale and was one of the initial officers who helped organize the Senior Citizen Center in Petersburg.
Herman also received the Aksarben Neighbor of the Year Award and the Outstanding Senior Citizen award. He enjoyed entertaining others, playing his harmonica with the Elkhorn Valley Fiddlers, the Happy Kids Kitchen Band at the Senior Center and at campfire events and scout outings.
On October 3, 2003, Herman entered the Nebraska Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Herman is survived by: son John and wife Lisa of Norfolk, NE; 2 daughters: Alice Petersen and husband Mark of Hubbard, NE; Margaret Wicks and husband Randy of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Katie Schmitz, Rachel (Josh) Schmitz, Kelsey, Mckenzie & Megan Petersen, Tim (Amy) Wicks, Greg (Laura) Wicks, and Tonya (Joe) McQuirk; sisters: Margaret Seier of Petersburg, NE; Sister Gretta Schmitz of Rhodell, WV; brother: Father Robert Schmitz of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law: Betty Schmitz of Albion, NE. and a host of relatives and friends.
Herman was preceded in death by: parents, Joseph and Margaret Schmitz; his wife Gertrude; daughters: Rose Schmitz and Catherine Cauthorn; sisters: Theresa Scholl and Agnes Millner; and brothers: Albert, Leonard and George Schmitz.
Interment was in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, Petersburg, NE.
Herman Joseph Schmitz, 93, of Norfolk, NE. formerly of Petersburg, NE., passed away Sunday, July 22, 2012, at the Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk, NE.
Herman, son of Joseph J. and Margaret (Grindler) Schmitz, was born October 27, 1918, in Petersburg, Nebraska.
Herman was baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and attended St. John the Baptist School until the 8th grade. After receiving his G.E.D. from Petersburg Public School he attended Northeast Community College where he earned an associate's degree.
In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1946 having earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his time in the army he attended field artillery school, was a drill instructor, and received many medals including the Army Commendation War Department Medal for destroying Japanese war materials.
On August 26, 1947, Herman was united in marriage to Gertrude Schmitz at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Clearwater, Nebraska.
The couple made their home on a ranch west of Petersburg until 1956 when they moved into town.
Herman owned and operated the Schmitz Insurance Agency for 30 years.
Herman was very active within his community and church. As a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Church he was active as a choir member and lector. He also was involved with the church council and Holy Name Society.
From 1960-1993 he was a scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts of America Troop #216. During his time as scoutmaster he received many awards including: Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow Award, Silver Beaver Award, St. George Award, Scoutmaster Key and Woodbadge Award. The highlight of his scoutmaster career was helping scouts obtain the Eagle Scouting Award.
Herman served on the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, was an EMT, and was also a member of D.A.V., V.F.W. and the American Legion Post #334. Within the American Legion he was a life member and also served as Sergeant of Arms from 1946-2003.
He was also a member of Petersburg Commercial Club since 1956, the Country Spinners Square Dance Club of Oakdale and was one of the initial officers who helped organize the Senior Citizen Center in Petersburg.
Herman also received the Aksarben Neighbor of the Year Award and the Outstanding Senior Citizen award. He enjoyed entertaining others, playing his harmonica with the Elkhorn Valley Fiddlers, the Happy Kids Kitchen Band at the Senior Center and at campfire events and scout outings.
On October 3, 2003, Herman entered the Nebraska Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Herman is survived by: son John and wife Lisa of Norfolk, NE; 2 daughters: Alice Petersen and husband Mark of Hubbard, NE; Margaret Wicks and husband Randy of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Katie Schmitz, Rachel (Josh) Schmitz, Kelsey, Mckenzie & Megan Petersen, Tim (Amy) Wicks, Greg (Laura) Wicks, and Tonya (Joe) McQuirk; sisters: Margaret Seier of Petersburg, NE; Sister Gretta Schmitz of Rhodell, WV; brother: Father Robert Schmitz of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law: Betty Schmitz of Albion, NE. and a host of relatives and friends.
Herman was preceded in death by: parents, Joseph and Margaret Schmitz; his wife Gertrude; daughters: Rose Schmitz and Catherine Cauthorn; sisters: Theresa Scholl and Agnes Millner; and brothers: Albert, Leonard and George Schmitz.
Interment was in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, Petersburg, NE.
Herman, son of Joseph J. and Margaret (Grindler) Schmitz, was born October 27, 1918, in Petersburg, Nebraska.
Herman was baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and attended St. John the Baptist School until the 8th grade. After receiving his G.E.D. from Petersburg Public School he attended Northeast Community College where he earned an associate's degree.
In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1946 having earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his time in the army he attended field artillery school, was a drill instructor, and received many medals including the Army Commendation War Department Medal for destroying Japanese war materials.
On August 26, 1947, Herman was united in marriage to Gertrude Schmitz at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Clearwater, Nebraska.
The couple made their home on a ranch west of Petersburg until 1956 when they moved into town.
Herman owned and operated the Schmitz Insurance Agency for 30 years.
Herman was very active within his community and church. As a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Church he was active as a choir member and lector. He also was involved with the church council and Holy Name Society.
From 1960-1993 he was a scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts of America Troop #216. During his time as scoutmaster he received many awards including: Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow Award, Silver Beaver Award, St. George Award, Scoutmaster Key and Woodbadge Award. The highlight of his scoutmaster career was helping scouts obtain the Eagle Scouting Award.
Herman served on the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, was an EMT, and was also a member of D.A.V., V.F.W. and the American Legion Post #334. Within the American Legion he was a life member and also served as Sergeant of Arms from 1946-2003.
He was also a member of Petersburg Commercial Club since 1956, the Country Spinners Square Dance Club of Oakdale and was one of the initial officers who helped organize the Senior Citizen Center in Petersburg.
Herman also received the Aksarben Neighbor of the Year Award and the Outstanding Senior Citizen award. He enjoyed entertaining others, playing his harmonica with the Elkhorn Valley Fiddlers, the Happy Kids Kitchen Band at the Senior Center and at campfire events and scout outings.
On October 3, 2003, Herman entered the Nebraska Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Herman is survived by: son John and wife Lisa of Norfolk, NE; 2 daughters: Alice Petersen and husband Mark of Hubbard, NE; Margaret Wicks and husband Randy of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Katie Schmitz, Rachel (Josh) Schmitz, Kelsey, Mckenzie & Megan Petersen, Tim (Amy) Wicks, Greg (Laura) Wicks, and Tonya (Joe) McQuirk; sisters: Margaret Seier of Petersburg, NE; Sister Gretta Schmitz of Rhodell, WV; brother: Father Robert Schmitz of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law: Betty Schmitz of Albion, NE. and a host of relatives and friends.
Herman was preceded in death by: parents, Joseph and Margaret Schmitz; his wife Gertrude; daughters: Rose Schmitz and Catherine Cauthorn; sisters: Theresa Scholl and Agnes Millner; and brothers: Albert, Leonard and George Schmitz.
Interment was in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery, Petersburg, NE.
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