Larry W. Schmidtbauer

Larry W. Schmidtbauer, 84-year-old resident of Pierz, MN passed away Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Pierz Villa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz with the Rev. Aaron Nett officiating. Burial will take place in the Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 and 9 to 11 A.M. Thursday, May 2 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Pierz. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Pierz, MN. Caring for Larry and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN. Larry Schmidtbauer was born on June 29, 1939 on the family farm near Buckman to Math and Mary (Hoheisel) Schmidtbauer. A graduate of Pierz Memorial High School, Larry served his country in the U.S. Army from 1962-1964 stationed in Washington DC during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. His unit was responsible for creating the original Eternal Flame still burning today at the gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery. Larry married the love of his life Helen Cremers on November 4, 1972 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz. They spent almost 50 years together until her death in 2021, treating their many nieces and nephews as if they were their own children. A self-taught mechanical engineer, Larry worked for 45 years at Tri-City Paving. He was a lifetime member of the Pierz American Legion and Pierz Knights of Columbus. Very active in the community he served 29 years on the Pierz Fire Department, 20 years as a Pierz Lion, and sang for over 50 years in St. Joseph’s Church Adult Choir. In retirement, he volunteered many hours at the Pierz Area Food Shelf, delivered meals for the Pierz Senior Center and built handicap ramps for Horizon Health Faith In Action. In his spare time, Larry enjoyed playing cards, tending to his rose bushes or just sitting on the front porch visiting with friends and neighbors. Larry is survived by brothers, Leon Schmidtbauer and Alban (Donnella) Schmidtbauer; and sisters, Lorae Vardas and Carol (Norman) Hamann. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents; and siblings, Melvin Schmidtbauer, Alan Schmidtbauer and Lois Zimmermann The family would like to thank the Pierz First Responders, Pierz Villa, and Horizon Health Hospice for their exceptional care in Larry’s time of need.

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Larry W. Schmidtbauer

June 29, 1939 - April 26, 2024