Fr. Michael D Schmitz

Mass of Christian Burial for Reverend Michael D. Schmitz, Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha, age 79, of Yankton, South Dakota will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, Nebraska.

The mass will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.

Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church in Crofton, with a 7:00 p.m. Wake Service.

The committal service will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2025, in Calvary Cemetery in Currie, Minnesota.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Father Schmitz entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Fr. Michael D. Schmitz was born on March 11, 1946, in Slayton, Minnesota. He graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Currie, Minnesota in May 1964. He then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin in December 1994 and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, Wisconsin in May 1996. Fr. Schmitz was ordained a Catholic priest on June 1, 1996, in Omaha, Nebraska by Archbishop Eldon Curtis. 

He entered the United States Air Force in May of 1966, discharged from active duty in April of 1978, and joined the Air Force Reserve until he retired in May 1996.  Upon ordination, he stated, “I served our country for 30 years, and I hoped and prayed to serve the Lord for 30 more years.”  Fr. Schmitz served his country as an office manager at Homestead, Florida, Bitburg, Germany in the police department, Offutt AFB, Nebraska in the mail room, Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, in target intelligence, Andrews AFB, Maryland with Air Force One with Mr. Nixon and Mr. Ford as presidents, and Air Force Global Weather Center in weather operations. 

Upon being discharged from the Air Force, Fr. Schmitz worked for Valentino’s restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska and Air Force Global Weather Central at Offutt AFB, Nebraska as a computer flight planner until he entered the seminary in the fall of 1990.

During his academic career, Fr. Schmitz distinguished himself as being placed in “Who’s Who Among the Students in American Universities & Colleges in 1993. 

Fr. Schmitz was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AmVets, and the American Legion. Furthermore, he was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

Fr. Schmitz is survived by his brother, Donald Schmitz of Slayton, Minnesota; sisters, Donna (Vernon) Bass of Okabena, Minnesota, Laurie Mandelkow of Red Wing, Minnesota, and Marilyn (Leonard) Boerboom of Green Bay, Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Donald Dose of Elgin, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death of his parents, Leo and Elizabeth Schmitz; one brother, Richard who was stillborn; sisters, Diane Dose and Teresa Schmitz; sister-in-law, Arlene Schmitz; and brother-in-law, Bob Mandelkow.

Memorials may be directed to St. Rose Catholic Church, St. Rose School, Crofton Knights of Columbus, or Crofton Bluejays.

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