Death struck a swift and terrible blow to the Wm. Schmitz family, near Wilmot, Saturday night, May 6, when it swept from life the young wife and mother, Tillie Berens Schmitz, leaving her husband, three sons and three daughters, the oldest 13 years and the youngest 2 years to face the world without care, love , sympathy and guidance that none but a mother can give. Although she had been ailing for a couple of days the seriousness of the situation was not suspected, and the end coming as suddenly as it did, the result of hemorrhages, was a great shock to the family, relatives, and neighbors.
Mrs. Schmitz was born at Ponca, Nebraska, Sept. 17, 1895, where s he grew to young womanhood. She graduated from the Ponca high school with the class of 1913, and thereafter taught school for four years. In August 1918, she was united in marriage with her surviving husband at Ponca and after residing for a time at Osmond, Neb., they came to South Dakota. Later they lived a few years in Colorado,. and since October 1931 had been farming northwest of Milbank, a few miles from Wilmot. She had reached the age of 37 years, 7 months, and 29 days. From a childhood she had been a faithful follower of the Catholic Faith.
Besides her husband and children Wilfred, Leona, Lawrence, Vera, Virginia, and Allen she leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Berens of Milbank, four brothers, four sisters, and many other relatives and friends. A woman of fine character and ability, intensely devoted to her home and family, deceased was always held in the highest regard by those who knew her, and who deeply sympathize with the sorrowing husband children and relatives.
The funeral services were conducted at ten o'clock Wednesday, May 10 at St. Lawrence church in this city, Msgr. F. P. Grabig celebrating the requiem Mass. Interment was made in St. Lawrence cemetery.