Obituary: Ellen Elizabeth Schmitz

Ellen Elizabeth Schmitz, 83, passed away surrounded by her family on Feb. 9, 2023, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born in Cloquet on Sept. 18, 1939, the daughter of Eino and Alma (Himango) Granholm. Ellen graduated from Esko High School and later married Lloyd Schmitz on Sept. 20, 1958, and together they raised their four children in Carlton. She worked as a waitress at the Junction Oasis in Carlton and for the Black Steer restaurant in Duluth. Ellen went to beauty school and operated a beauty shop in her home. She was an owner of Schmitz Backhoe Service with her husband, Lloyd. Ellen was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton, enjoyed playing in bowling leagues, going to UMD hockey and Huskies baseball games, and watching sports on TV.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd; granddaughter April Schmitz; brother, Jalmer (Barb) Granholm; and brothers-in-law, Dick Houck, Lee Nopola, Don Brening and Dave Dixon.

She is survived by her children, Carrie (Brad) Buller, Randy (Linnea Smerdon) Schmitz, Craig (Roxane) Schmitz and Colleen (Tim) Spicer; seven grandchildren, Aaron (Rachael Welde) Buller, Autumn (Anthony Mazzitello) Buller, Adrian (Shaylyn) Buller, Andrew Buller, Adam (Amanda) Schmitz, Cody Spicer and Stephanie Schmitz; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Selma Houck, Mary Brening, Alma Nopola, Helen Dixon (her twin sister) and Arlene (Carl) Nopola; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Visitation will resume at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Thursday, Feb. 16 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton. Spring interment will be held at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Epilepsy Foundation are preferred.