Christine Schmitt

A funeral Mass for Christine Schmitt, 92, of Dickinson will be 9:00 a. m. , Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dickinson with Msgr. Patrick Schumacher celebrating. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation for Christine will be 2:00 p. m. – 8:00 p. m. , Monday, December 21st at Stevenson Funeral Home with a rosary and vigil service being held at 7:00 p. m. Christine passed away Thursday, December 17, 2015 at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson. Christine Marie was born in Dickinson on August 6, 1923, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Filipi) Pelzel. Growing up, she attended school in Scheffield. She later worked as a waitress in Dickinson for a couple of years. Christine married Louie Schmitt on February 4, 1946 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. Together, they farmed west of Manning, and were blessed with seven children, Peter, Mary, David, Frank, Darlene, Kathy and Martha. On the farm, Christine was a devoted wife and mother who loved to garden. She continued to farm after Louie passed away in 1962. For a short time, Christine did childcare and with the help of her daughter-in-law Sharon, took care of her son Frank after a tornado in 1975. She was a cook for Fr. Talty’s Summer Camp in Garrison, Trinity School in Dickinson for 17 years and the priest’s at St. Patrick’s. Christine was a member of Christian Mothers Sodality in St. Edwards Church of Fayette, where she also taught catechism. Christine was also a member of The Catholic Daughters of America. Christine blessed her family by making a quilt for each grandchild and great-grandchild. She upholstered many pieces of furniture and she planted a large garden, canning most of it plus fruits every year. She will be dearly missed and forever loved. Christine is survived by her children, Peter (Darlene) Schmitt of Dickinson, Mary Springer (fiancé, Alvin Chalupnik) of Belfield, Kathy (Zane) Kadrmas of Dickinson, Martha (Joe) Knopik of rural Belfield, daughter-in-law, Sharon Schmitt of Dickinson; 25 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Larry Pelzel of Dickinson, Ed (Leta) Pelzel of Brookings, OR, Ben (Karen) Pelzel of Arcada, CA; sister, Josephine McElroy of Alexandria, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Louie (1962); sons, David and Frank Schmitt; daughter, Darlene Pinkerton; sister, Clementine Radovich; brothers, Vincent and Frank (MaryAnn) Pelzel; son-in-law, Dennis Springer; brother-in-law, Jack McElroy; sister-in-law, Betty Pelzel; and four great-grandchildren.


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Burial Date: December 22, 2015
Church St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church

Funeral Mass: Tuesday: St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND