Martin Schmitz

Martin B. “Bubby” Schmitz, age 78 of Faribault, MN, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

Martin Brien, the son of Martin and Veva (Grosser) Schmitz was born on April 18, 1943 in Faribault, MN.  He attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1961.  On April 6, 1963 he was united in marriage to Barbara Kern at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault.  Bubby was active playing softball in his younger years and bowled on different teams for many years.  One of his bowling highlights was rolling a 300 and he was very proud of that.  Bub was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing many of the lakes in northern Minnesota with his family and friends.  He enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in their different activities and also watching them coach their teams to this day.  Bub worked for over 33 years as a route salesman for Frito Lay in southern Minnesota and developed many close relationships with different business owners.  He retired in 2001 and they moved up north to Hillman, MN and then were fulltime RV travelers between Minnesota and Texas.  Most recently they were campground hosts for the Army Corps of Engineers at a campground at Lake Winnibigoshish.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barb Schmitz of Faribault; by his children, Robyn (Bill) Godbey, Rick Schmitz and Tim “Tater” (Jenny) Schmitz, all of Faribault; by six grandchildren, Zak (Samantha) Hanegraaf, Garrett Hanegraaf, Alex Schmitz, Annika Schmitz, Emma Schmitz and Ava Schmitz; by five great grandchildren, Blakely Hanegraaf, Emmerie Hanegraaf, Scarlett Hanegraaf, Asher Hanegraaf and Laiken Schmitz; by his sister, Maré (Gary) Moore of St. Michael, MN and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Andrew Schmitz, sister, Geraldine Vogelsberg and his Father and Mother-in-law, James and Eula Kern.

Memorial visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Sunday, April 3, 2022, from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m.  A Celebration of Life will continue from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Faribault Golf Club.