Gabriella "Gabe" (Dhaene) Schmitt

Gabriella "Gabe" Schmitt, of Dawson, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 4, 2018 at her home in Clarkfield, MN at the age of 97.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church in Dawson.  Fr. Mark Mallak will be the Celebrant and interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Sunday at St. James Catholic Church from 5:30-7:30 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  There will also be visitation at the church for 1 hour before the funeral on Monday.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Gabriella was born to Alphonse and Irma (Ysebart) Dhaene on April 7, 1921 in Green Valley, MN. Gabriella and Theodore Schmitt entered into marriage on October 22, 1941 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota, MN. They began their lives together on a 160 acre farm in rural Dawson. In 1945, they moved to the farm in rural Boyd, on which they raised their 12 children and worked together to increase their land to 480 acres. They spent countless hours working hard together enjoying their family, the country, farming and raising animals. The years on the farm had treated them and their family very well. 

Although they enjoyed their many years on the farm, the time had come to take the step into the next chapter of their life. In 1980 they built a new home and moved to Dawson. They had a beautiful home they both enjoyed, but truth be known, they did miss the farm life!!  In 2009 ,Ted passed away and Gabe continued to live in their home in Dawson for a few years. She then moved to Clarkfield, MN where she remained in her town home until her last day. Gabe loved her husband and family (she was a very loving wife, mother, and grandmother and had a special place in her heart for the young children). She enjoyed the animals on the farm and farm life in general. Bowling with the ladies was one of her favorite things to do along with embroidering and getting together with friends for pie and coffee.

Although we will miss her so much, we are so VERY GRATEFUL for all of the years we were able to have her with us to share life together. Her wonderful smile, her gentle touch, her caring heart, her loving hands, her kind words, just everything about her will forever live on in our hearts. 
We could not have asked for a better mother and we THANK GOD FOR HER and THANK HIM FOR KEEPING HER SAFE.

Gabe is survived by her children: Carolyn (Larry) Drietz, Brandon, MN, Shirley (Tuna) Bukowski, Boyd, MN, Mike (Rosann) Schmitt, Marshall, MN, Leo Schmitt, Willmar, MN, Alice (Steve) Krantz, Tucson, AZ, David Schmitt (Virginia Wilson), Clarkfield, MN, Andrew (Jane) Schmitt, Boyd, MN, Rose (Mike) Collins, Montevideo, MN, Patricia (Tim) Anderson, Montevideo, MN, Marie (Rick) Yackel, Ramsey, MN, Judy (David) Larson, Ham Lake, MN;. 32 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Lorraine Gagnon, Rochester, MN; and many nieces and nephews..

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alphonse and Irma Dhaene; husband, Theodore; son Duane; 4 sisters; and 3 brothers.

BLESSED BE HER MEMORY