Frederick Joseph Fred Schmitt

FUNERAL SERVICES: 2 PM Friday, April 17 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids with Rev. Don Bird officiatingVISITATION: l hour prior to the funeral service at the churchINTERMENT: Riverside Cemetery at OsageSURVIVORS: his precious wife, Shirley of Park Rapids; his dearly loved daughter, Susan (James) Kubovec of Maple Grove, MN;two grandsons: Michael Kubovec of Maple Grove and Brian Kubovec , a student at St. Johns University in Collegeville, MN; his four step children: Deborah (Dean) Stearns of Park Rapids, Rebecca (Gary) Bistodeau of Nevis, MN, Ray (Debbie) Hinkley of Maple Grove, MN and Trudee (Tom) Vogtman of Park Rapids, MN; as well as 11 step-children; l sister, Rita (Ozzie) ZenZen of St. Cloud, MN; five brothers: Robert (Judy) Zeis of Grey Eagle, MN, Allan (Wanda) Zeis of Coon Rapids, Ervin Zeis of Holdingford, MN and Jerry (Mona) Zeis of Avon, MN, and Don (Esther) Zeis of Oro, AZ as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. FREDERICK JOSEPH "Fred" SCHMITT October 26, 1923 " April 13, 2009 Frederick Joseph "Fred" Schmitt age 85 of Park Rapids, MN formerly of the Twin Cities area, passed away peacefully at the Diamond Willow Assisted Living Center in Park Rapids, MN with his loved ones at his side. Fred was born on October 26, 1923 in St. Paul, MN to Rose Schmitt. At the age of six months he was placed in an orphanage. At the age of 11, Fred was blessed with a loving couple, John and Mary Zeis of Holdingford, MN, who took him into their home and lovingly raised him as one of their own. Fred attended a county school through the eighth grade and then went on to the Holdingford High School. As a young man he learned the value of good hard work helping on his parent"s dairy farm. On April 10, 1943, Fred entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country in the Asiatic- Pacific theatre of World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after earning the rank of specialist lst Class. He returned home and attended college studying business. He worked hard and earned a four year degree in three years. In June of 1949, Fred married Alice McCarter in Appleton, WI. They were blessed with one precious daughter, Susan Barbara. From his late 20"s to his late 30"s, Fred bowled the Professional Bowlers Association Circuit where he achieved a great deal of success and notoriety. He also began his career in business with the Peavey Corporation that spanned over 23 years. He began with Peavey working as an accountant; but later switched into sales where he spent the rest of his years. Later, Fred worked as a sales manager with the Montgomery-Wards Co. in Blaine. On October l4, 1975, Fred was united in marriage to Shirley Arlene Hinkley. The newlyweds made their home first in Fridley and later in Anoka until retiring to Park Rapids, MN in 1986. Fred loved the out of doors and especially enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada, hunting and camping. He enjoyed woodworking and spent a great deal of time working in his shop which was equipped with the latest in hand and power tools. He and Shirley enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. with their fifth wheel trailer. In 1990, Fred suffered a massive aortic aneurysm which nearly took his life. Following numerous surgeries and months of rehabilitation, Fred assisted by his faithful wife, returned to a full life; but a life without many of the activities that he had been accustomed to. Fred was a member of the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids. He was a life time member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post #212 in Park Rapids and the Guy L. McDermott VFW Post of Menahga, MN. Fred leaves a legacy as an overcomer. Whatever obstacles and adversity life threw at him, Fred showed everyone how through hard work and focused determination he could rise above it. Above all, Fred devoted his life to his precious wife, Shirley of Park Rapids; his dearly loved daughter, Susan (James) Kubovec of Maple Grove, MN;two grandsons: Michael Kubovec of Maple Grove and Brian Kubovec , a student at St. Johns University in Collegeville, MN; his four step children: Deborah (Dean) Stearns of Park Rapids, Rebecca (Gary) Bistodeau of Nevis, MN, Ray (Debbie) Hinkley of Maple Grove, MN and Trudee (Tom) Vogtman of Park Rapids, MN; as well as 11 step-children; l sister, Rita (Ozzie) ZenZen of St. Cloud, MN; five brothers: Robert (Judy) Zeis of Grey Eagle, MN, Allan (Wanda) Zeis of Coon Rapids, Ervin Zeis of Holdingford, MN and Jerry (Mona) Zeis of Avon, MN, and Don (Esther) Zeis of Oro, AZ as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Friday, April 17 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids with Rev. Don Bird officiating. The casketbearers will be: grandsons; Mike Kubovec, Brian Kubovec, Charles Stearns, Michael Stearns, Dean Vogtman, Bryon Bistodeau, Andrew Bistodeau and Bob Hinkley. Honorary casketbearers will be grandson, Philip Vogtman who is serving in the U.S. Navy overseas in Japan and Fred"s granddaughters: Jeni Stearns, Tracy Vogtman, Katie Medlin and Anna Hinkley. Linda Szuszitzky will be the organist. Bill & Jan Lundsten will sing "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" & "Precious Lord Take My Hand". Congregational hymns will be "Amazing Grace" & "The Old Rugged Cross". Visitation will begin at the church l hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be made in the Riverside Cemetery at Osage. A luncheon will be hosted by the Riverside United Church following the service.