Visitation will be on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield, MN. A Rosary will be offered at 4:00 pm. Visitation will continue Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield, MN. A Latin Requiem High Mass will be held at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth, MN on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the St. Raphael Catholic Cemetery in Springfield, MN. A luncheon and reception will follow at the Springfield Golf Course.

Leo was born on January 12, 1943, to Leonard and Florence (Luther) Schmitz in Springfield and grew up on the family farm west of town. He attended St. Raphael’s grade school in Springfield, and graduated from Springfield High School in 1961.

On September 10, 1966, he was united in marriage to Mary Turbes at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Springfield. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage and four children; Anthony, Daniel, Peter, and Martha. Dairy farming was Leo’s occupation the majority of his life. In his early 60’s he started driving trucks on long-hauls delivering pontoon boats across the contiguous 48 states and Canada.

Leo was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served his time in the National guard reserve.

Leo was fond of dice and cards, and enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, and his close friends knew him as “Lucky Leo.” Leo was a lifelong pheasant and deer hunter and enjoyed the camaraderie of hunting with much success. He enjoyed fishing; in particular winter ice-spearing. For several years, Leo and sons ice-speared at Lake Winnibigoshish at Four-Seasons Resort, formerly Ted Hensch’s (of Sanborn) resort.

He especially liked deer hunting each year, but also went elk hunting in Colorado over the years with his friends. Leo also enjoyed golfing, he was a founding member of the Sanborn Farmer’s Golf and Health Club and carded 4 hole-in-ones over the years. He traveled the world with his wife Mary when she owned Sterling travel, and he liked to spend time with his grand-children outdoors taking them fishing and hunting.

He was a long-time member of the John Birch Society, and taught his children and grand-children the ability to think for themselves, and appreciate our republican form of government and the freedom it provides.

Leo was a natural story-teller, and enjoyed telling a story to friends and family. Many will remember Leo’s stories. He knew when and how to tell a great and apropos story to fit the situation, and his stories were unique and entertaining to all.

Leo started attending the Latin Mass (the Mass of his youth) 15 years ago at the request of his wife Mary, and daughter Martha, which he came to love and revere.

He is survived by brother Gilbert Schmitz of Redwood Falls, MN, sister Angie Schnobrich of Wayzata, MN; children Anthony (Lisa) Schmitz of Colorado Springs, CO; Daniel (Lena) Schmitz of Roberts, WI; Peter (Lauren) Schmitz of Mayer, MN; and Martha (Daniel) Renner of Springfield, MN; and 19 grandchildren: Amanda Schmitz; Noah, Alexa, and Brianna Schmitz; Jude, Julia, Jacob, Ava, Anna, and Nicholas Schmitz; Tori, Lex, Katherine, Max, William, Madonna, Regina, Xavier, and Karl Renner.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary (Turbes) Schmitz, parents, Leonard and Florence Schmitz, brothers Glenn and Loren Schmitz, sister Gloria Luckow, nieces Monica Platz and Kim Polzin, and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

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