Gail Schmitz 1956-2025
Gail A. Schmitz, 68, of Holton, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025, at her home.
She was born Dec. 3, 1956, at Seneca, the daughter of George and Constance Engelken Hermesch. She attended Kelly Grade School and graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in 1974. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Emporia State University.
Gail had taught kindergarten through ninth grades at Wetmore, Jackson Heights, Effingham and Oskaloosa.
Gail enjoyed sewing and quilting in her retirement. She made baptismal gowns, baby blankets and quilts for all of her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and her favorite evenings were spent gathered around the table at the farm, playing games with her family. She made a point of being at events for her children and grandchildren. She spent her weekends making sure that her family knew that she supported them at sporting, church and school events.
Gail relied on her faith and was known for keeping St. Padre Pio’s “Pray, hope and don’t worry!” in her kitchen as a reminder to place her worries with the Lord. She was a loving and giving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend who always put others first. She will be missed by her many friends and her cherished family.
She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton, where she served as a lector and a eucharistic minister. She was also a member of the Altar Society at the church and the Beck-Bookman Book Club.
She married David Schmitz on July 9, 1977, in St. Bede’s Catholic Church at Kelly. He survives, of the home.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Don Hermesch.
Other survivors include four sons, Mike Schmitz (Elizabeth), Shawnee, Daniel Schmitz (Delaney) and Andy Schmitz (Kyle), all of Wichita, and Chris Schmitz (Kayla), Overland Park; a daughter, Jennifer (Mike) Graveman, Tonganoxie; seven brothers, Dean Hermesch (Denise), Olpe, Joe Hermesch (Jennifer), Goff, Jerry Hermesch (Gail), Centralia, Leo Hermesch (Jennifer), Eureka, Leon Hermesch (Alice), Goff, Doug Hermesch (Marcia), Belvue, and Greg Hermesch (Tisha), Seneca; three sisters, Kim Kreher (Tom), Smithton, Ill., Pamela Hermesch, Shawnee, and Christie Henry (Jason), Glendale, Mo.; and 20 grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 24 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the church, with a rosary prayed at 7 p.m. Burial will be held in Mount Calvary Cemetery at Holton.
Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas or the Beck-Bookman Library Building Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
