Schmitz, Robert Michael

Robert Michael Schmitz, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Pius X Catholic Church by the Rev. Phil Thompson. Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery. A vigil will be held at 5 p.m. today at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today and after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mariella; children, Jim (Veronica Beavin) Schmitz of Bethesda, Md., Robert (Barbara) Schmitz of Acton, Mass., and Mary (Ed) Broders and Barbara Schmitz, all of Cedar Rapids; brothers, Michael (June) Schmitz of Rochester, Minn., and William (Marge) Schmitz of Northbrook, Ill.; a sister, Margaret Spillane of Shullsburg, Wis.; grandchildren, Michael Broders, Jeff Broders, Tim Schmitz, Sarah Schmitz and Julian Schmitz; and great-grandchildren, Brant and Addison.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth.

Bob was born Dec. 30, 1928, in rural Lafayette county, Wisconsin, to Michael and Marguerite Schmitz. He graduated from Iowa State with a degree in civil engineering in 1951. Bob married Mariella Wiederholt at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Kieler, Wis., on Sept. 12, 1950. He was employed by Iowa Steel and Iron Works in Cedar Rapids and later by Ryerson Steel in Chicago. He retired in 1991.

Bob liked woodworking, reading, genealogy and photography.

A scholarship fund is being established for St. Pius X students who attend Xavier High School.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Robert M. Schmitz Scholarship Fund, 3402 Sycamore Ct. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

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