James N. Schmitz

James N. Schmitz, 97, of North Mankato passed away on Sunday, February 16,2025 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00-11:30 a.m. prior to mass. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato following luncheon. Mankato Mortuary assisted with the arrangements. 

Jim was born on September 23, 1927 in Mankato to Joseph and Clara (Dorn) Schmitz. He graduated from Loyola High School in 1945 and continued onto Mankato’s Teacher College earning degrees in Geography and Industrial Arts. During college he was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War with the 330th Army band. Jim married the love of his life, Rosemary Laven on December 27, 1956. They built their forever home in upper North Mankato in 1958. They went on to raise eight children, four boys and four girls. He taught for 17 years at Owatonna State School and finished his career as a Supervisor for the Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation, retiring in 1990. Jim, a man of many hats, his favorite being the cowboy hat. He also owned and operated Jimmy’s Dude Ranch, Schmitz Construction and maintained their hobby farm. His retirement years were filled with travel, reading and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, Rosemary Laven Schmitz; eight children, Joe Schmitz of AZ, Jim Jr. Schmitz of North Mankato, Kay (Ron) Keller of Faribault, Ken (Lorena) Schmitz of Mankato, Julie (Andrew) Larson of Saint Paul, Kristyn (Steve) Hewitt of Mound, Joan (Steve) Andersen of Texas, and Jerry (Sarah) of Minnetrista; grandchildren: John (Becky), Matt (Sarah), Peter (Mary), Katie, Karl (Sami), DJ Keller, and Anne (Rick) Halbur; Kristine and Susan Andersen; Luke, Lizzie, Will and Eva Larson; Ross (Erin), Jack (Kelsey), Grace and Gretchen Hewitt; Jillian, Eli and Oliver Schmitz; and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Clara Schmitz; his sisters, Sr. Gladys, Clarice and Joan; and daughter-in-law, Patty Pfeilsticker-Schmitz.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.