Paul “Coach” Schmitz

Friday, February 5, 2021 8:08 pm

Paul “Coach” Schmitz, age 73, of Mabel, Minn., (formerly of Festina), died Thursday, Feb. 4, 2020, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa, with Rev. Donald Hertges officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service on Tuesday at the Church.Everyone attending is asked to please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Cards may be sent to the family at: P.O. Box 91, Ossian, IA 52161.

Paul Felix Schmitz was born on May 14, 1947 the son of Edmund and Irene (Hageman) Schmitz in West Union, IA.  He attended Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1965.  Paul worked for Ralph Holthaus Construction and then Richard Kuennen Construction for many years as well as helping on the family farm.  Paul was a huge sports fan.  He followed all the local high school kids and was instrumental in starting the Calmar Cats Baseball Team where he coached for a few years.  He also followed college and professional sports especially the Atlanta Braves.  From 1999 to 2005 or 2006, Paul was in and out of the Green Lea Manor nursing when he needed medical care. He lived at the Cherrywood Estates at the time and when no longer able Green Lea Manor became his permanent home. Paul enjoyed helping in the activity department. He was a tremendous help and experienced a feeling of self-worth while giving of himself. He called for bingo, helped with mailings, helped set up the activity room for activities, even though he was in a wheel chair he would help push residents to and from activities, faithfully folded laundry every morning, would take activity attendance when activity staff were not on duty, handed out a weekend trivia sheet to residents and especially loved helping with craft projects. He even started making stenciled flower pots and sold them. Paul was willing to help with whatever he could. We also made arrangements for him to clip parts for the Deco Factory in Decorah. Staff would pick up the parts and deliver them when they were completed. For the many years he lived at Green Lea Manor he became not only friends but was like family to all of us. He was appreciated! He enjoyed keeping up with local news,  he received at least 3 newspapers. He shared many memories of his past and especially talked fondly of his family and friends. He looked forward to their visits.

He is survived by a niece: Kelli (Charbel Abou Merhy) Schmitz, Minneapolis, MN and a nephew: Curt (Jennifer Hernandez) Schmitz, Pocatello, ID along with many cousins.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents: Edmund and Irene (Hageman) Schmitz.  Brother: Gerald Schmitz.  Nephews: Jeff Schmitz and Jon Michel Schmitz.