Wilma Mae (Jenkins) Schmitz

Wilma Mae (Jenkins) Schmitz was born on June 14th, 1937 in Org, MN to Garold and Marjorie (Killen) Jenkins. As a young girl, Wilma had a special affinity for horses, especially her black and white pony, Midnight. She attended school in Worthington, before eventually meeting and marrying Leo John Schmitz on April 10th, 1954. The couple were blessed with six sons: Kenny, James, Ronald, Robert, Leo, and Art, and resided in Org, MN before moving to multiple states over the course of several years, following Leo’s work in construction. The family eventually put down roots in Boyd in 1969, settling into family life.

Wilma could play a mean game of “crazy 8’s,” “up and down the river,” and Scrabble. She amassed such a large collection of aluminum cans that a semi-truck had to come and pick them up, “replenishing the world’s supply of cans after a shortage,” as her sons would tell you. Wilma loved to shop, but was prudent and frugal in her methods, relying on coupons and her trusty motto, “if it’s free, it’s for me!” She bought in bulk and stocked up to be able to provide for anyone that may happen to need something in a pinch. By far her favorite activity was to peruse every aisle in the dollar store, pick up an item, especially if it was her favorite color—purple, remark, “that’s a good buy,” then promptly set it back. She loved watching wrestling, taking trips to the casino, and could always be found with three adoring teacup poodles on her lap.

On Thursday, June 30th, 2022, at the age of 85, Wilma passed away at the Clara City Care Center surrounded by her boys and her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Garold and Marjorie; husband, Leo; granddaughter, Jody Korstad; parents-in-law, John and Della Schmitz, and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Wilma is survived by her sons: Kenny (Dorene), Jim (Linda), Ron (Tammy), Bob (Mona), Leo (Jessica), and Art (Natalie) Schmitz; 23 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren, and brother, Harold “Tub” (Karen) Jenkins.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 from 5-7 PM at the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, July 6th at 10 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Interment to follow in the Adrian Cemetery, Nobles County, MN. 

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