Longtime St. Michael Resident Dies, Writes 'I Thank God for the Gift of Farming'

Armella Mary Zachmann Schmitz, who grew up on a farm near St. Michael and called started her own farm from scratch, died Dec. 7. She was 95.

Schmitz made her farm near St. Michael her life's work, and was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.

Her obituary, courtesy of , features her writing about her life.

She wrote that school days were her best childhood memories.

"It was so much fun playing outside at recess and lunch with the forty children at our school!," Schmitz wrote. "No one claimed to be better than anyone else. We all enjoyed just being together, playing ball and horseshoes."

Her mother also grew up on a farm near St. Michael. When Schmitz married Raymond Schmitz in 1937, "We were farmers, happily working side by side. We started our farm from scratch, with little help from our parents. I’m proud we were able to make our farm grow!" she wrote.

"I thank God for the gift of farming He gave me," Schmitz continued. "It was dirty, hard work, but it was God’s purpose for my life and I felt His pleasure in it. I worked every piece of farm equipment we had. I would do the disking and Raymond would do the planting and we would wave and smile to each other as we passed one another in the field. That was such a happy time!"

Schmitz is survived by her daughter, Alice (Brad) Schmitz, and granddaughter Shelley Patnode (Ken Davis). She is preceded in death by husband, Raymond, her parents, a sister and brothers.

"I would like to be known as a humorous person who enjoys clean jokes and playing games," she wrote. "I am always ready to help anyone who needs it!"

Is there someone who passed away we missed and you'd like to recognize them? Add it to the St. Michael Patch announcement page by clicking here.