Harold Bernard Schmitz
June 17, 1930 – October 31, 2021

With sadness in their hearts, the family of Harold Schmitz mourns his passing on October 31, 2021, in Humboldt District Hospital in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He was 91 years of age. Harold was born on June 17, 1930, in Humboldt, to Theodore and Katrina (née Marx) Schmitz, the third of four children. His dad settled on the current Schmitz farm in 1912 after following his brother Gerhard, who came from Germany in 1909. In 2012, Dad proudly celebrated the 100th year anniversary of the Schmitz homestead. Life on the farm was busy and the work was hard. In his stories about “the early years,” he often included his mom, as he said, “the women had a hard life, raising the family, growing and preparing food,” and everything that went with it! Watching the farming industry change from his boyhood days with horses and thrashing machines, to modern equipment was amazing for him. He loved to attend old time farm demonstrations and museums and explain how things worked. His favorite John Deer tractor was well used and he loved to give the kids rides. He completed his schooling by grade eight at Merrywood School. Dad lived his entire life on the Pilger farm, except for the one winter he went to Ontario with a couple local friends to work in a lumber camp. They went by train. It stopped at night in the middle of nowhere in the bush, and Dad described it as such a desolate feeling watching the train leave and after that year, he never went back. He met Marion Ecker from Prince Albert, SK, in Pilger, when she came to teach at Merrywood school, and they were married on September 22, 1958. They began their life together on the farm and had a family of four children. Dad raised many animals and farmed the land with his brother Benny. The tradition of a big garden and raising animals to feed the family continued for mom and dad. Until 1997, he farmed, but lived there the rest of his life. Visiting with family and friends, and his grandchildren, who spent many summers with him on the farm, were cherished times for Dad. His love of nature and the land led to many drives to check crops, or just to see the changing seasons. As the grandkids got older, he liked to have them chauffeur him on these excursions. He enjoyed simple pleasures like watching the weather, and planting his garden, or flowers and trees. In his wood working shop he created many toys and ornaments for anyone who wanted one. Dad passed away gently on October 31, 2021, with family by his side following a short illness. For 91 years he lived a quiet life on his cherished farm. Harold will be remembered by his family: Howard (Grayce) and their sons Kurt and Adam; Paul (Katie) and daughter Emma (Rafael); and JoAnn (Dwayne) Mason and sons Alex (Jacinda), Craig, and Ian; his in-laws: Madeline Schmitz, Irene Litwin, and Arnie Ecker; and numerous nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Marion; sons David, and Michael (infancy); parents Theodore and Katrina (née Marx) Schmitz; siblings: Teddy Schmitz, Benny Schmitz, and Delores Folk; and in-laws: Ed Folk, Leo Litwin, Bertha, and Ed and Norine Ecker. The Funeral Mass for Harold was offered on June 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, in Pilger, SK, celebrated by Fr. Colin Roy. Others taking part were: Emma Schmitz and Cheryl Schmitz, scripture readers; Kathleen Dubé, music ministry, Marie ven der Buhs, eulogist; and Harold’s grandchildren, urn bearers. Interment followed in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, and the memorial luncheon was held in the Pilger Community Hall. Memorial donations may be directed to the Humboldt & District SPCA (PO Box 3942, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0).

This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)