Emery E. Schmitt

ST. HELENA — Emery E. Schmitt, 83, St. Helena, died May 10, 2018, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, S.D. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., May 16, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, with Rev. James Keiter officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation and a Wake were May 15 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, has been trusted with service details. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Chris Barkl, Nick Barkl, Jon Barkl, Erik Bartlett, Ryland Schmitt and Sam Schmitt. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, step grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Emery Edward Schmitt was born July 24, 1934, at the family farm near Menominee, to Balthasar and Bernadina (Schroeder) Schmitt. He grew up in the Menominee area where he also attended school. After completing eighth grade, he worked for area farmers. Emery married Marcelene Schieffer May 3, 1960, in Constance. He and Marcy farmed the Schmitt homestead for many years. He also worked several jobs doing mechanical work – Ag-Land Fertilizer, Cimpl’s Meat Packing Plant, and he owned E. Schmitt Repair. His passion was long-haul trucking. In May 1996, his retirement years began. In the year 2000, he moved from the family farm to South Yankton where he was designated as the Honorary “Mayor.” Emery enjoyed driving fast, socializing in local establishments, and going to the farm to check on his cows. Emery is survived by his wife, Marcelene Schmitt; his seven children and spouses, Fritzie (Jeff) Barkl, Yankton, S.D.; Lori (Roger) Bartlett Joplin, Mo.; Jackie (Bill) Pike, Fairplay, Colo.; Kirt (Lisa) Schmitt, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Gerine Uhrich, Joplin, Mo.; Troy (Marla) Schmitt, St. Helena; and Emery Jr. (Cathy) Schmitt, Tea, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; five step grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, with another one on the way; and four step great-grandchildren, with two more arriving soon; three sisters: Kathryn Kathol, Coleridge; Mary Pike, Luverne, Minn.; and Coletta (Clarence) Stratman, Springfield, S.D. Emery was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sons, Terrence and Balthasar Schmitt; son-in-law, Dale Uhrich; his siblings, Julius Schmitt, Marcella Kathol, Ralph Schmitt, Annella Schulte; and infant sister, Agnes Schmitt; and in-laws, Delores Schmitt, Andrew Kathol, Beverly Schmitt, Harold Kathol, Earl Schulte, and Duane Pike.