Patricia A. Schmitt

Patricia Amelia (Gripentrog) Schmitt went to meet our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Pat, as everyone knew her, was born in Wahpeton on February 24, 1937, the 6^th of 10 children of Alvin and Mable Gripentrog. Pat went to St. Johns school through 8^th grade and finished high school in 1955 where she made and remained close friends with many classmates.

Pat met Philip Schmitt the love of her life at a dance and they married July 6, 1957. They started their life together in Wahpeton/Breckenridge with a move to Moorhead in 1971 with their six children in tow where they spent the next 43 years.  Pat’s primary focus was her family.  She was always active in the kids’ activities through the years and helped many a grandchild keep their rooms in order. Family meals and great breakfasts were enjoyed growing up and family gatherings grew to be large and full of crazy fun throughout the years.

Pat was a member of St Joseph’s Church in Moorhead where she was active in Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughters and many other activities.  She also spent many years volunteering at the Moorhead Thrift Shop raising money for the community. They spent their final years in Alexandria, MN, where they were members of The Church of St. Mary.

After learning she had Alzheimer’s, Pat educated herself as to what her future may entail. Pat determined the one thing she wanted for herself in this process was to “not be mean”.  Even as she progressed further into her disease the words used to describe her were beautiful, gracious, peaceful, funny, sweet and classy.  Pat had an amazing calm about her that was infectious until the end. Mom achieved what she set out to do.

Pat is survived by her children, Phyllis (David) Reller, Bill (Vicky) Schmitt, Carla (Lon) Rust, David (Sharley) Schmitt, Keith (Joni) Schmitt, and Kevin (Mary) Schmitt; two brothers, Brian (Joan) Gripentrog and Mike (Darlene) Gripentrog; brother-in-law, Raymond Schmitt; and sisters-in-law, Inez Gripentrog and Sheri Hoverman. Pat and Red enjoyed 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, and even a few great-great-grandchildren as well as many many nieces and nephews spread across the country.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband; parents; siblings, Darleen (Lew) Mydlack, Darryl Gripentrog, Duane Gripentrog, David Gripentrog, Dolores (Jerry) Ruland, Donna (Wes) Rittenhouse and Tom (Colleen) Gripentrog, along with in-laws, Jim (Charmagne) Schmitt and Val Schmitt.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Grand Arbor Memory Care and Knute Nelson Hospice in Alexandria, MN, for their loving care.

Memorials preferred to hospice or Grand Arbor Memory Care.

Visitation: Friday, May 25, 2018 from 5-7 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.

Burial: Saturday, May 26, at 2:00 PM, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Breckenridge, MN.