Herman Schmitz Obituary

Herman Anton Schmitz, retired McKenzie County farmer, North Dakota, died February 4, 2016, in Williston, North Dakota, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease.



Herman was born December 3, 1915, on his family's homestead in Poe Township of McKenzie County, ND, to parents Peter and Hedwig (Hackenberg) Schmitz. Schmitz began his long farming career on the family farm in McKenzie County. Herman dropped out of school, then an eighth grader, when his father suffered a heart attack. He took over the family finances at age 15 and then expanded the farming operation (in 1935) by renting farm land from a bachelor neighbor.



Herman enlisted in the Army during WWII but was refused. The Army recruiters let his brother, John, join the Army. He was told to keep the farming operation.



In the early '50's Herman helped organize the Williams County Farm Bureau. He also was an insurance agent for NoDak Mutual. Herman was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church and served as exalted ruler of the BPOE 1214 Elks Lodge in Williston. Herman was a life time member of the Shriner's KEM Temple in Williston and a KEM Temple Bell Ringer.



Schmitz was a true champion of ND wheat producer interests and worked tirelessly to capitalize on emerging market opportunities worldwide. He was elected to the ND Wheat Commission in 1969, serving as Chairman of the Board 1971-1973. Schmitz represented Great Plains Wheat and attended the International Wheat Council meeting in Tokyo in 1973. Schmitz traveled the world fostering state, regional and national partnerships. That would later allow North Dakota wheat to move westward, leading to the opening of new market opportunities and growth in hard red spring wheat exports to Asia and other key markets. Schmitz also served on the board of Western Wheat Associates and the Agricultural Council of America. He was also involved in the ND Farmers Union and the National Farmers Organization. His travels included Northern Europe, India, Japan, China, South America and the U.S.S.R.



The U.S.S.R. experienced a shortage of wheat, almost a famine in 1971-72. The United States had a wheat surplus. Herman, along with the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. State Department agreed to lend the U.S.S.R. 500 million dollars at 6 percent interest to complete the wheat purchase.



At age 80, Herman was the guest of honor and patron of the annual McKenzie County Old Settler's Day Barbeque in Alexander, ND, on September 7, 1996.



Schmitz was one of the founding members of the Williston Golf Course and became an avid player upon retirement.

Schmitz was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute on October 7, 2010. Herman was a champion of North Dakota wheat producer interests and a significant figure in shaping the current successes of agricultural transportation.

Schmitz married Mary Schmitz (Hapip) on Feb. 3, 1944. They raised three daughters, Carol Schmitz; Sandra Mawhinney and Deborah Heen.



Mary passed away in 1987. In 1988 he married his second wife, Helen Anderson. Helen passed away in 1995. In 1996 Herman married Rosalie Burke (Kaldor). Rosalie passed away in 2011.



He is survived by Carol Schmitz; Sandra Mawhinney (Alan) and Deborah Heen. Grandchildren Leslie Percival (Marc); Carl Nelson (Debra Ledford); Jason Heen (Jana); Jeremy Heen (Krista); Melissa Rider (Jed); Alicia Kline (Stewart) and Anne-Marie Balcer (Kraig); Patrick Mawhinney (Keiko) and Mary Michelle (Chelle) Mawhinney and 21 great-grandchildren.



Herman also leaves behind Zo Karlstad (Gary) and their family. Friends may call at Everson Coughlin Funeral Home 3:00 to 5:00pm & 7:00 to 9:00pm February 9. A celebration of life will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Williston on February 10 at 10:00am Interment at Riverview Cemetery, luncheon follows at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. All are welcome. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Attn: Donor Relations Department, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, and Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.