Orris W. Schmalz

Schmalz, Orris W. “Orry”

Orris Walter Schmalz moved on to his eternal rest on December 16, 2004 after spending recent months under the loving care of the staffs at Saint Paul Villa and Cherry Meadows. Born July 19, 1913, he was the youngest of 13 children born to Theodore and Martha Schmalz. On August 2, 1937, he and Bernice De Bruin married at St. John Catholic Church, Little Chute.
He earned his Eagle Scout Award in February 1931 as the third Eagle Scout in the state of Wisconsin and the first outside of Milwaukee. He was honored for his over twenty-five years of service to Scouting.
He continued his service to others with his over 40 years of involvement with Lions Club International. He earned several awards with Lions including the Melvin Jones and Birch Strum Fellowships. He was very proud to have served as President of the Kaukauna Lions. He was a long time member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
He was employed at Thilmany Pulp and Paper for 46 years, retiring in 1973.He loved the outdoors and a cottage at Pickerel Lake in northern Wisconsin. All were important to him, but family was most important. He served us well and leaves us with a legacy of service.
He is survived by three children and their spouses, Lynn and Keith Verhagen, Combined Locks; James and Barbara Schmalz, Loves Park, IL; Jill and David Brunette, Appleton; a daughter-in-law, Linda Schmalz, Cedarburg; 12 grandchildren, Virginia (Brian) Nitz, Jeffrey Shmalz, Rebecca Schmalz, Amy (Jerry) Weyenberg, Valerie (Cole) Ziegelbauer, Todd (Amy Sue) Verhagen, Jamie Prouse (Donna), Jennifer Prouse (J. C.), Jason Prouse, Stacy (Todd) O’Bannon, Heather Schmalz and Scott Schmalz; ten great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Irma Johnson, Bernice DeBruin, Hattie DeBruin and Loretta Schmalz. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice (DeBruin) Schmalz, a son Larry Schmalz, 12 brothers and sisters.
The funeral liturgy for Orris will be held at 4:00 pm, Monday, December 20, 2004, at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street, with Fr. Matt Settle. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 2:00 pm until the time of the mass. A memorial fund is being established.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 West Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna 920-766-6200
www.fargofuneralhome.com