Julia M. Schmitz, 82, of rural Cashton passed away Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, with the love of her family surrounding her, at the Bland Bekkedal Center for Hospice in Viroqua.
Julia was born in Cashton on May 17, 1935, to Michael and Martha (Brueggeman) Frederick. She was united in holy matrimony to Ronald Schmitz on Jan. 11, 1956, in Pine Hollow Catholic Church. Together they raised their family and owned and operated a dairy farm on St. Mary’s Ridge.
Julia devoted countless hours to the parish on St. Mary’s Ridge, cleaning the church and, for a while, the grade school, as well as other various parish duties.
Living and breathing a farm life is not for the weak at heart. Julia made being married to a farmer’s way of life look easy. Julia still found time for canning, gardening, growing flowers, and quilting. She loved her children with her whole heart, and when they started bringing grandchildren home, Julia couldn’t help but love them even more.
Julia is survived by her husband, Ronnie; seven children, Thomas (Denise Kissack) Schmitz, Milton “Butch” Schmitz, Douglas Schmitz, Rita (Randy) O’Neill, Connie (Larry) Ronke, Lynn (Randy) Evans, and Nancy (Chris Gettinger) Schmitz; 10 grandchildren, Bobbi Jo (fiancé Dan Paulson) O’Neill, Karen (Richard Ziegler) O’Neill, Josh (Megan Flock) O’Neill, Corey (Emily) Ronke, Kelly (Joe) Degenhardt, Nick (Emma Granger) Evans, Brad Evans, Cassidy, Colten and Jacob Green; five great-grandchildren, Holden O’Neill, Aria Ziegler, Alivia Paulson, Lane Paulson and Adeline Degenhardt; her siblings, Dorothy Von Ruden, Robert (Rosie) Frederick, Elvera (Jerome) Brueggen, Lavern (Vicki) Frederick and Bonnie (Milton “Tom”) Puckett; her sisters-in-law, Barbara Frederick and Janice Frederick; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Marvin Schmitz, who died Jan. 3, 1994; her sisters, Irene Muenzenberger, Adeline (Victor) Clements, and Linda Frederick; her brothers, Paul, Norbert and Lloyd Frederick; and a brother-in-law, Carlton Von Ruden.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on St. Mary’s Ridge. Father Michael Klos will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends and family are invited for visitation from 4–8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, with a rosary at 4 p.m., at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton. Visitation also will be held Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
