Obituary for Stanley R. "Stan" Schmitt
Stanley "Stan" Schmitt, age 92 of Watertown, SD passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022.
Visitation will be 5-7:00 pm, Friday, September 23, 2022 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
A graveside service will be 3:15 pm, Saturday, September 24, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Waverly, SD with Father Denis Meir officiating.
Pallbearers will be William Schmitt, Robert Schmitt, Monty Petersen, John R. Emmerich, Daniel Schmitt and Cade Dammarell.
Military Honors by SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team.
Stanley R. Schmitt was born March 29, 1930, in Watertown, South Dakota to Frank Schmitt and Francis (Liefeld) Schmitt. Stanley’s grandparents homesteaded just north of Waverly, South Dakota, and Stanley grew up in Waverly helping with the family businesses. Stanley played on the high school basketball team and, at age 15, (during WWII), he drove the local school bus for the Waverly School District. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1948 and, during the summer, met his future wife, Grace Prange, at a local wedding dance. That fall, Stanley and several classmates were all drafted to serve in the Korean War. After his discharge, Stanley and Grace were married on August 20, 1952, in Kranzburg, South Dakota.
Over his lifetime, Stanley made a living mainly through farming and the retail business sector. In addition, he was a very capable welder and woodworker as well as a licensed electrician.
In 2014, after Grace passed away, Stanley continued caring for her dog, Starzie. They soon became inseparable companions and enjoyed many adventures together.
Stanley enjoyed all things outdoors as well as spending time in his woodshop. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. At age 11, he was hunting pheasants and ran a 3.5-mile trap line for weasels and skunks near Waverly. The weasels and skunks sold for $2.00 each while the pheasants provided additional meat for the family. When their children were young, Stanley and Grace took the family on many fishing and camping trips, mostly to the Missouri River and to the Black Hills.
Stanley passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in Watertown, South Dakota at the age of 92. He was able to die peacefully at home; surrounded and cared for by his family. Stanley was dearly loved as a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend. His smile, generosity, creativity, and his ever-present sense of humor (which always seemed to come when least expected) will be greatly missed.
Stanley is survived by his five children: Barb (Randy) Petersen of Mora, MN; Deb (John) Emmerich of Cheyenne, WY; Bill Schmitt of Watertown, SD; Bob (Cheryl) Schmitt of Richland, WA; and Carmen (Arturo) Dammarell-Medina of El Centro, CA; 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Grace (Prange) Schmitt; and his sisters; Joanita (Schmitt) Meyers and Geraldine (Schmitt) O’hara.
Memorial donations in his name may be contributed to either the Watertown Hospice Program or the Watertown Meals-on-Wheels Program.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel is serving the family www.wightandcomes.com.
Visitation will be 5-7:00 pm, Friday, September 23, 2022 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
A graveside service will be 3:15 pm, Saturday, September 24, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Waverly, SD with Father Denis Meir officiating.
Pallbearers will be William Schmitt, Robert Schmitt, Monty Petersen, John R. Emmerich, Daniel Schmitt and Cade Dammarell.
Military Honors by SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team.
Stanley R. Schmitt was born March 29, 1930, in Watertown, South Dakota to Frank Schmitt and Francis (Liefeld) Schmitt. Stanley’s grandparents homesteaded just north of Waverly, South Dakota, and Stanley grew up in Waverly helping with the family businesses. Stanley played on the high school basketball team and, at age 15, (during WWII), he drove the local school bus for the Waverly School District. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1948 and, during the summer, met his future wife, Grace Prange, at a local wedding dance. That fall, Stanley and several classmates were all drafted to serve in the Korean War. After his discharge, Stanley and Grace were married on August 20, 1952, in Kranzburg, South Dakota.
Over his lifetime, Stanley made a living mainly through farming and the retail business sector. In addition, he was a very capable welder and woodworker as well as a licensed electrician.
In 2014, after Grace passed away, Stanley continued caring for her dog, Starzie. They soon became inseparable companions and enjoyed many adventures together.
Stanley enjoyed all things outdoors as well as spending time in his woodshop. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. At age 11, he was hunting pheasants and ran a 3.5-mile trap line for weasels and skunks near Waverly. The weasels and skunks sold for $2.00 each while the pheasants provided additional meat for the family. When their children were young, Stanley and Grace took the family on many fishing and camping trips, mostly to the Missouri River and to the Black Hills.
Stanley passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in Watertown, South Dakota at the age of 92. He was able to die peacefully at home; surrounded and cared for by his family. Stanley was dearly loved as a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend. His smile, generosity, creativity, and his ever-present sense of humor (which always seemed to come when least expected) will be greatly missed.
Stanley is survived by his five children: Barb (Randy) Petersen of Mora, MN; Deb (John) Emmerich of Cheyenne, WY; Bill Schmitt of Watertown, SD; Bob (Cheryl) Schmitt of Richland, WA; and Carmen (Arturo) Dammarell-Medina of El Centro, CA; 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Grace (Prange) Schmitt; and his sisters; Joanita (Schmitt) Meyers and Geraldine (Schmitt) O’hara.
Memorial donations in his name may be contributed to either the Watertown Hospice Program or the Watertown Meals-on-Wheels Program.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel is serving the family www.wightandcomes.com.