Anthony “Tony” Schmitz, 
82 died on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at Cornerstone Nursing Home in Bagley, MN.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bagley, MN with Father Joe Richards presiding. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at a later date at St Joseph’s Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, MN.
Anthony “Tony” Michael Schmitz was born on April 10, 1937, in Red Lake Falls, MN the son of John & Anna (Pahlen) Schmitz. He was baptized and confirmed at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN.
As a young boy growing up, Tony worked hard on his brother Joseph’s farm. He would drive the tractor many miles early in the morning to the farm hauling hay etc., and then drive the many miles home at night. Tony had a fond love for old tractors & owned several of them himself. A 1938 John Deere “A”, an Alice Chalmers “B”, a Minneapolis Moline “U” and a 1942 Case “IC”. As a teenager, he worked at the Red Lake Falls Gazette for 7 years. Tony served in the US Army in 1956 until being honorably discharged in 1958. He served time in Germany. After returning from the Army he worked at The Crookston Daily Times until 1964. From there he was the Credit Manager and then Assistant Administrator for St Francis Hospital in Crookston working there for 6 years. For the next 15 years, Tony was the Administrator for St Johns Hospital in Red Lake Falls. Tony’s life-long dream was to own his own business. His dream came true when he purchased Ecowater of Bemidji. He owned and operated this business with his son Shane until his retirement in 2001.
In October 1960, Tony was united in marriage to Marlene Tiedeman. To this union 4 children were born: Rick, Shawn, Shane & Craig. On January 21, 1994, Tony was united in marriage to Crystal (Anderson) Wallingford in Hawaii.
Tony’s passion was the game of hockey. He was involved with coaching for many years, which he was also a coach for his boys. Tony participated in Senior Pirates hockey and continued to play hockey until the age of 74. He was very active with the Bagley Hockey Association. His favorite saying was “Keep your head up!” Tony also enjoyed hunting and watching sports. He was a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bagley, MN.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years Crystal; Children: Rick (Sandie) Schmitz; Shawn (Quintin) Brandvold; Shane (Alysia) Schmitz and Craig (Melanie) Schmitz. 13 Grandchildren: Elizabeth, Tori, Jeremy, Christopher, Devin, Shay, Cody, Jacob, Isabelle, Abigail, Marissa, Ava & Keaton. 7 Great Grandchildren: Austin, Paisley, Kyler, Odessa, Hailee, Emma & Lexi. Sister: Lucille Desotell. Stepchildren: Steve Wallingford, Lynn Peal, Jack Wallingford & Jill Olson.
Preceded by: Parents John & Anna Schmitz; 7 Brothers: Joseph, Vincent, Sylvester, Leonard, Louie, John & David. 4 Sisters: Elizabeth, Clarice, Margaret & Marilyn.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be donated to the Bagley Youth Hockey Association PO Box 54 Bagley, MN in honor of Tony.
