Duane Schmitz

Duane “Bud” Schmitz, 76, of Dent, MN, formerly of Wahpeton, ND, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.  Visitation will be on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a prayer service at 5:00 pm at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wahpeton. The Funeral Mass will be on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:30 am at the church, with Fr. Jerald Finnestad and Fr. Tony Welle officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.  Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Duane “Bud” Mathew Schmitz was born August 10, 1942 to Ervin and Gladys (Waldie) Schmitz at Marion, ND.  He grew up and attended school in Enderlin, ND, graduating from High School in 1960.  He attended Valley City State University graduating in 1964 with his teaching degree. Bud married Jean Plantz on June 11, 1966 in Walhalla, ND.

Bud taught and coached in Hettinger, Walhalla, Shanley High School and in Wahpeton, ND.  During this time, he served in the U.S. Army.  He also worked as Sales Manager for Sigco Research in Breckenridge, MN, and Lundquist Seed in Wheaton, MN.  He was inducted into the referee hall of fame in 2007.  Bud was very involved in his community, serving on the St. John’s School board and Wahpeton Public School board. He was also the mayor of Wahpeton for eight years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing, but, spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends was the most important part of his life.

Bud will be missed by his wife of 52 years, Jean; his daughter, Mindi Schmitz, Jamestown, ND and her daughter, Madison; his two sons, Paul (Karen) Schmitz, Kindred, ND, and their daughters, Abigail and McKenzie, Rick (Keli) Schmitz, Fergus Falls, MN and their children, Alex, Allison, Kaitlyn, Myia and Allen; his sisters, Carol (Al) Zimmerman, Fargo, ND, Jean Schmitz, Enderlin, ND, Karen (Lance) Bueling, Sheldon, ND, and Deb (Roger) Lindemann, Enderlin; brother, Joe (Lynette) Schmitz, Enderlin; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Erivn and Gladys; two brothers, Stevie and Floyd; mother-in-law, Edna Plantz; brother-in-law, Leon Plantz; and his nephew, Tylar Plantz.

Bud 's Memorial Folder