YANKTON, S.D. — Mass of Christian Burial for Rev. Michael D. Schmitz, Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha, 79, Yankton, S.D., was Sept. 16 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton. The Mass was also be live streamed on the funeral home website. Military honors were provided by American Legion Post 128 and Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard. Visitation and a wake service were Monday at the church in Crofton. The committal service will be at 11:30 a.m., Sept. 19, in Calvary Cemetery, Currie, Minn. Brockhaus Funeral Home, Bloomfield, was in charge of arrangements. Father Schmitz entered into eternal rest Sept. 9, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.

Fr. Michael D. Schmitz was born March 11, 1946, in Slayton, Minn. He graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Currie, Minn., in May 1964. He then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wis., in December 1994, and a Master of Divinity Degree from Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, Wis., in May 1996. Fr. Schmitz was ordained a Catholic priest on June 1, 1996, in Omaha, by Archbishop Eldon Curtis.

He entered the United States Air Force in May of 1966, discharged from active duty in April of 1978, and joined the Air Force Reserve until he retired in May 1996.

Upon ordination, he said, “I served our country for 30 years, and I hoped and prayed to serve the Lord for 30 more years.” Fr. Schmitz served his country as an office manager at Homestead, Fla.; Bitburg, Germany, in the police department, Offutt AFB, in the mail room; Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, in target intelligence; Andrews AFB, Md., with Air Force One with Mr. Nixon and Mr. Ford as presidents; and Air Force Global Weather Center in weather operations.

Upon being discharged from the Air Force, Fr. Schmitz worked for Valentino’s restaurant in Lincoln, and Air Force Global Weather Central at Offutt AFB, as a computer flight planner until he entered the seminary in the fall of 1990.

During his academic career, Fr. Schmitz distinguished himself as being placed in “Who’s Who Among the Students in American Universities & Colleges in 1993.

Fr. Schmitz was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AmVets, and the American Legion. Furthermore, he was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

Fr. Schmitz is survived by his brother, Donald Schmitz, Slayton, Minn.; sisters, Donna (Vernon) Bass, Okabena, Minn.; Laurie Mandelkow, Red Wing, Minn.; and Marilyn (Leonard) Boerboom, Green Bay, Wis.; brother-in-law, Donald Dose of Elgin, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Elizabeth Schmitz; one brother, Richard, who was stillborn; sisters, Diane Dose and Teresa Schmitz; sister-in-law, Arlene Schmitz; and brother-in-law, Bob Mandelkow.

Memorials may be directed to St. Rose Catholic Church, St. Rose School, Crofton Knights of Columbus, or Crofton Bluejays.