Kenneth Francis Schmitz

July 19, 1937 - September 24, 2020

Ken Schmitz was born on July 19, 1937 in Faribault, MN to Alex and Angela Schmitz. He grew up on a dairy farm where hard work, honesty and integrity were ingrained in him from an early age. He graduated from Bethlehem Academy in 1955, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Navy as a welder and ship fitter. He served honorably for three years aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV43) and the USS Midway. Ken spent the majority of his career working for equipment manufacturers in the logging and timber industry; initially in production, and later in servicing and ultimately as a sales manager with a territory that ranged from Newfoundland to Texas. His customers became his friends, and they knew that when they needed something done right, they called Ken. When he retired at age 70, Ken and Lorna, his wife of 60 years, enjoyed taking trips around the country in their RV and spending time at their house in the mountains of North Carolina. They ultimately moved back to Virginia to be closer to family. Ken was also the catalyst for reconnecting with 62 of the men he proudly served with in the Navy so many years earlier, and brought together past friendships that endured a lifetime. Ken is survived by his wife Lorna, children Sandra, Kathleen, Joanne, and Wayne; along with 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind sisters Marcella Burke, Sister Myrtle Schmitz, Irene Peterson, and brother Paul Schmitz. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Roland Burke and Harley Peterson, and granddaughter Leah Hoffman. A graveside service will be held 2 PM, October 10, 2020, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg, VA, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. A zoom link to watch the service can be found at: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3912803972?pwd=c0RuRjRhM2VvVHV2U09UTjhCNzNnZz09 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ken’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.