Don Schmitz

Donald E. Schmitz, 95, of Caldwell, Kansas passed peacefully after a short illness on April 2, 2026 at his home with his children at his side.  Donald was born the last child of Peter and Mary Schmitz, at home on their farm 11 miles west of Renfrow, Oklahoma on December 11, 1930.  Don attended Mount Ridge District 17 school where he graduated from the 8^th grade.  He then attended the Wakita, Oklahoma school district for 2 years.  When World War II ended, his dad sent him to St. Francis Xavier school in Enid, Oklahoma and he lived with his eldest sister, Katie and her family of 10 children until he finished his schooling in 1947.  He and his nephews were of similar age and became life-long friends as well as relatives. 

After graduating, he began to farm until he entered the Army in 1953.  He spent his two-year service in Georgia where he attended basic training at Camp Gordon then served at Fort Benning.  This location gave him close access to where brother, Tony, was living at the time.  He was able to spend quality time with Tony and niece, Tonidean, using his leave to visit.  After his discharge from the Army in June of 1955, he went to work at Boeing in Wichita, Kansas.  He met his wife of 65 years, Dorothy, during this period.  He quit work when they married in 1956 and moved back to the farm northeast of Wakita, Oklahoma where they began their family.  They were blessed with five children during their time on this farm, resulting in them needing a larger place to raise their family.  They moved to the farm owned by Dorothy’s father west of Caldwell, Kansas in 1966.  They lived on this farm for 20 years before moving into Caldwell in 1986.  Don lived in this house until his death. 

Don spent his life farming, raising his family and serving his church and community.   He was a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as past Grand Knight of Caldwell Knights of Columbus Council 2728.  He was a member of Blessed Stanley Rother 4^th Degree Assembly of South-Central Kansas. He served on the Board of Education for the Caldwell School District, the local Farmers Co-Operative Board and was a 33-year founding member of the Futures Unlimited Board.  Don also enjoyed bowling and traveling.  He loved dancing to Lawrence Welk with wife, Dorothy.  Don loved to host parties and found many reasons to throw one.  He enjoyed people and his favorite times were spent at The Red Barn’s Knowledge Table.  He cherished his friends and had many.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, daughter Brenda, parents Peter and Mary, brothers Leonard, Joseph, Leo, Frank, Ben, Tony, Matt, Adelbert, Robert and sisters Katie and Geneva.

He is survived by his children, Mark (Gayla) of Lawrence, Kansas, Michael (Colleen) of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Deborah of Winfield, Kansas, and Leonard (Kellie) of Fort Smith, Arkansas, six grandchildren, Adam, Emily, Miranda, Justin, Michelle, and Andrew Schmitz, and 3 great grandchildren, Jaxon, Emma and George, as well as numerous cherished nieces and nephews.   

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the community for all the assistance and kind deeds you did for both of our parents over the years.  Words cannot express how much this meant to both them and us.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Caldwell, Kansas.

          Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Medford, Oklahoma.

          Memorials may be made to Futures Unlimited, Kansas for Life or to the Caldwell Regional Health Foundation and sent in care of the mortuary.

Visitation will be held 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 6 through Wednesday, April 8.