Eugene Martin Schmit
OSMOND – Mass of Christian Burial for Eugene Martin Schmit, 90, of Osmond, will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Osmond. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, in Osmond. Officiating the service will be Father Kevin Vogel and Deacon Doug Tunink. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Osmond with a 7 p.m. vigil service at the church. Military rites will be by American Legion Post 326 and The Sons Of The American Legion of Osmond. Music will be by organist Melissa Lind and St. Mary's Church Choir, with hymns “Blest Be The Lord,” “Shepherd Me O God,” “Eye Has Not Seen,” “Gift Of Finest Wheat,” “One Bread, One Body” and “Holy God We Praise Thy Name.” Pallbearers will be Nick Schmit, Kyle Schmit, Christopher Schmit, Ryan Schmit, Mark McConnell, Jordan Foos, Caleb Eckstrom and Alan Steinkraus. Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Osmond is in charge of the arrangements.
Eugene passed away on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at the Plainview Manor. After a long 25-year battle with Parkinson, Eugene is finally at peace.
Eugene was born at the family farm northeast of Osmond, on Sept. 22, 1933, to Joseph and Rose (Pochop) Schmit. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School through the eighth grade and graduated from Osmond High in 1951 as salutatorian of his class. After graduation, he farmed and then served his country from 1955 to 1957. During his time in the Army, he earned many sharp shooting awards during training and later was the arms room check and distribution head. Eugene was united in marriage on June 6, 1956, to Elsie Pokorny at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Atkinson. They lived in Louisiana until his honorable discharge in early 1957 to come back to farm. They were blessed with seven children: Daniel, Francine, Joseph, Lisa, John, Roland and Julie. Eugene loved diversified farming and always strove to improve crops and production. Along with farming, he owned and operated Schmit Sales and Service since 1966 where he loved to serve his fellow farmers. Many high school boys were hired over the years to erect pivots. He mentored and taught them the meaning of hard work and respect.
Eugene was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Osmond where he sang with joy and passion in the church choir for many, many years. He also served on the Osmond Housing Board for 45 years, the Pierce County Weed Board, and school and church boards. He loved his faith, his family, reading, and dancing. His happy place was at the altar of St. Mary’s of the Seven Dolors.
Eugene will be missed by his wife of 67 years, Elsie; his children Daniel (Pam) Schmit, Joseph (Lisa) Schmit, John (Carol) Schmit, all of the Osmond area, and Julie Wragge of Pierce; 15 grandchildren, 11 grandchildren-in-law; 30 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Donald and Arlis Pokorny, and sisters-in-law Edith Aschoff and Marietta Schmit.
He was preceded in death by three of his children, Francine Schmit (toddler), Lisa Schmit (in infancy) and Roland Schmit (8); his parents, Joe and Rose Schmit; brothers Leo Schmit and Robert (Bonnie) Schmit; sister Mary Rose Shainost; brothers-in-law Norbert Beckman, Stanley Schainost and Ron Aschoff.
Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel. com.
