Leonard H. Schmitz

Naper — Leonard H. Schmitz, 94, of Naper, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Butte.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Butte with a 7 p.m. rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the church in Butte.

Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Naper.

Memorials may be made to the Naper Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Naper in Leonard's name.

Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD is in charge of the arrangements.

Leonard was born on Feb. 27, 1930 to Joseph and Bertha Schmitz on a farm near Bonesteel, SD. Not long after, the family moved to Naper, where Leonard graduated from high school in 1947. 

He worked on the family farm until January 1952, when he entered the U.S. Army, eventually being stationed in Germany.

Upon his discharge in December 1953, Leonard returned to Naper. He married Thelma Higgins on Feb. 22, 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Naper. They had two children: Douglas, born Dec. 26, 1955; and David, born June 24, 1958.

Douglas married René Kramer, and they have three children Emily Wlaschin of O'Neill, mother of Jack, Theodore, Oliver, Anne and Robert; Matthew Schmitz of New York, NY, husband of Julia and father of Hugh, Roger, Josiah and Austin; and Joseph Schmitz of Lincoln.

David married Carmen Noel, and they have three children Tony Schmitz of Sioux Falls, SD, husband of Becky and father of Ella, Olivia, Isaac, Aaron and Isabel; Travis Schmitz of Omaha, husband of Kami and father of Jellissa, Jaycie, Jaydin, Jersi and Jagger; and Tina Dethlefs of Kearney, wife of Adam.

Leonard and Thelma purchased an abandoned farm east of Naper and made it into a successful family farm. 

Leonard was involved in community organizations including VFW Post 8256, Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District Board, Naper Lions Club, Boyd County Rural Water District #1, Naper Rural Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus, Naper Catholic Church Council,and the Naper Historical Society.

Leonard was a devoted husband and father who dearly loved his wife, children and grandchildren. 

Leonard is survived by Thelma his wife of 69 years; two sons Douglas (René) of O'Neill and David (Carmen) of Naper; six grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joesph and Bertha Schmitz, two brothers Donald and John and two sisters Helen and Benita.