Leon M. Schmitz, 70, of Baileyville, KS died late Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born January 27, 1939, on a farm northwest of St. Benedict, the son of Frank A. and Augusta Droge Schmitz. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from St. Benedict High School in 1957. Shortly after high school he enlisted in the Kansas National Guard. He assisted his brothers and his father on the family farm for 35 years.

On November 22, 1962 he married Janice R. Schneider at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict. The couple made their home and raised their five children on the family farm northwest of St. Benedict. Leon began working for the B&B School District in 1983, and retired in June of 2009 due to illness. Leon was a kind and soft-spoken man who enjoyed traveling, reading, watching sports, and most of all working in his extensive rose garden.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Church and St. Joseph’s Society at the church in St. Benedict, the Knights of Columbus Council #1769 in Seneca, and the National Rose Society. Leon was a past president of the Nemaha County Pork Producers, a past president of St. Mary’s Parish Council, serving during the church’s restoration, and also served as clerk for the Clear Creek Township.

Survivors besides Janice, his wife of of 46 years, are a son Chris Schmitz of Randolph; daughters, Shelly Hasenkamp of Baileyville, Sherri Bohland of Blue Springs, MO, Susie Smith of Derby, and Shannon Schmitz of Tonganoxie; a brother, Raymond Schmitz of Seneca; and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Patrick Allen in 1965; two brothers, Gerald in 1952 and Edwin in 1981; and two sisters, Genevieve “Genny” Nolte in 2002 and Sr. Melita Schmitz in 2008.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Monday, September 28, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, September 29, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given in Leon’s memory for St. Mary’s Restoration Fund or St. Mary’s Cemetery, and sent in care of the family.