Eileen Schmitz

Memorial Services for Eileen P. Schmitz, of Albert Lea, will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, July 11, 2014 at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea. The Reverend Richard Spande will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Friends may visit with family from 4:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home on Friday. Eileen died peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at her home. She was 79. She was born on May 24, 1935, in Harrold, South Dakota the daughter of William and Evelyn (Auch) Keller. She graduated from high school in Harrold, South Dakota. On March 4, 1956, she married Robert M. Schmitz in Harrold. After they were married, Eileen and Robert lived in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1965, they moved to Hartland, and in 1967 made Albert Lea their home. In the early years, Eileen kept busy raising their six children: Steve, Michael, Danny, Cindy, Carrie and Billy. Michael and Danny both lost their lives in tragic motorcycle accidents, Michael in 1980 and Danny in 1981. Later in 1981, Eileen opened "Puff and Stuff" on Broadway, which she so enjoyed operating until 2001. She as a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, and the American Legion Auxiliary where she had served as Past President. Eileen was very proud of her perfectly keep yard, and enjoyed reading. Through the years, Eileen was "mother" too many. She worked through her difficult times by mentoring and lifting the spirits of all those around her. Eileen will be greatly missed by her family which includes children: Steve (Margie) Schmitz of Cedar Springs, MI, Cindy Schmitz of St. Louis, MO, Carrie (Mike) Rahn of Albert Lea, Billy Schmitz of Portland, OR; grandchildren Melissa Fisher of Woodbridge VA and her sons A.J. and Austin, Rachelle (Josh) Croy of MI, and children Rylie and Jaxon, Eric (Claire) Schmitz and daughter Bryndle of MI, Danielle Schmitz(Andy Gee) and daughter Makenzie, Cody (Amanda) Schmitz and daughter Adelae of MI, Nick Schmitz(Casey) and Tre and Ady of Albert Lea; daughter-in-law Cheryl Fisher and children Scott and Lacey; sister Eldora Barnes of Harrold, SD, brother Gary Keller of Piere, SD; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, William and Evelyn Keller, her in-laws Nicholas and Margaret Schmitz, her husband Robert Schmitz in 1994, son Danny in 1981, son Michael in 1980, brothers Gordon and Marvin Keller. The footprint Eileen has left on our lives can not be put into words, but her memories will forever put smiles in our hearts.