Rose Marlene Schmitz, Thief River Falls, MN, age 89, died on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Thief River Falls Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 1:30 PM at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will be at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Thief River Falls.
Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 PM Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Thief River Falls.
Rose Marlene Kraft was born March 16, 1936 in Crookston, MN the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wald) Kraft. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Catholic Church, Fisher, MN. The family lived for a time at Karlsruhe, ND, and Pontiac, MI, but ultimately made their home near Fisher, MN. Rose attended school in Fisher and graduated from Fisher High School in 1954.
Rose went to work as a receptionist for Catholic Social Services, Red Lake Falls, MN. While there she met John Schmitz and the couple was eventually married on January 30, 1960, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Red Lake Falls. To this union, five children were born, Jeff, Margo, Brent, Anne, and Karen.
The family lived for two years in Pine River, MN, and then moved to Thief River Falls in 1962 where they have continued to reside. John worked as a teacher and coach, and Rose enjoyed the responsibilities of raising their five children at home. She thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with her husband, children and grandchildren. Rose also was a day-care provider for twenty-five years and retired in 1996, one year after John retired.
The family enjoyed camping and hiking over the years. She and John spent six winters in Mesa, AZ, and a lot of sightseeing in their retirement, and took bus trips to different areas of the country including the Canadian Rockies, Branson, and New York. In her earlier years, Rose enjoyed embroidery and has always enjoyed reading. Rose was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church where she was very active. Her faith was very important to her.
Survivors include her children, Jeff Schmitz, Warroad, MN, Margo Schmitz, Thief River Falls, Brent (Sabrina) Schmitz, Devils Lake, ND and Karen Schmitz, New Hope, MN; grandchildren, Jordan, Cambreigh, and Braden; great-grandson: Kyrie Bates; brothers and sisters, Mary Ann Christopherson, Kenneth (Eileen) Kraft, Kathy Henry, Karen Atkinson, Rita Pigarelli, Angie Kraft, James (Lois) Kraft, and Ron (Karen) Kraft; in-laws: Faye Kraft, Joanne Kraft, and Sally Kraft, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John in 2010; daughter, Anne; granddaughter, Cassandra; parents, brothers, John, Leonard, Bill and Jerry; and sisters, Betty, Sister Lorraine Kraft; in-laws, Don Atkinson, Bill Henry, Bill Page, and Sandy Kraft.
# Rose Marlene Schmitz, #