Richard Charles Schmalz, 92, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Richard was born on March 4, 1931, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to his loving parents, Walter and Theresa Schmalz. He was baptized and confirmed at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His faith in his Lord and Savior was constant throughout his life.
After graduating from Minneapolis Central High School in 1949, Richard joined the U.S. Forest Service and moved to Idaho to serve as a firefighter. During one of his trips back home, he met the love of his life, Marilyn Pearson, in 1950. His life was forever changed due to this chance meeting. Richard and Marilyn were married on Feb. 17, 1951, at Fristad Lutheran Church in Centuria, Wisconsin. Shortly after their marriage, Richard was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Germany where he served as a medic.
After his discharge from the Army, Richard and Marilyn purchased a farm next to Marilyn’s parents on the north side of Deer Lake because they knew they wanted to raise their family in the country. Richard and Marilyn were married for nearly 68 years and provided a testament to a strong and supportive relationship. They were blessed with four children and their family grew in later years to embrace eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. As a husband, father, grandfather and uncle, Richard was always kind, always patient, always strong and always supportive. His family all came to appreciate his quick and unexpected wit which often broke the ice during interesting situations.
Richard was a man of deep faith in his Lord, including his last day of life. He was always thinking about what his Lord had in mind for him. He loved singing in church, serving as a worship assistant and council member, fixing what needed to be fixed and visiting those in need. He loved spending time with his family, especially if it involved fishing, campfires or farming. Also important to him was his coffee group that met every weekday, first at Wayne’s and then Loggers, where everything could be discussed except religion and politics.
Richard leaves to celebrate his memory his children, Deborah of Grantsburg, Steven (Gina) of St. Croix Falls, John (Julie) of Shafer, Minnesota, and Mark (Karen) of Summerville, South Carolina; grandchildren, Joshua, Michael, Tabitha, Ashley, Jenifer, Jessica, Jacob and Theresa; great-grandchildren, William, Leo, Fiona, Andrew, Anastasia, Drake, Franceska, Lilliana, Opal, Ryder, Caleb, McKinley, Tyler, Abigail and Kendra; great-great-grandchildren, Adrienne and Cannon; brother, Tim (Mary) Schmalz; sisters, Gretchen Schmalz and Ruth (Cliff) Krueger; and many other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; his parents, Walter and Theresa; his sister, Meredith Morgan; and his brother and sister-in-law, William and Carol Schmalz.
A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m., at Joy Lutheran Church in Centuria, Wisconsin, and officiated by Pastor Angie Kutney. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The family invites guests to join them in the fellowship hall for lunch and continued visitation after the service.
Interment at Fristad Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors will occur at a future date.
The family asks for memorials to Joy Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria.
