Augustin Schmaltz

Augustin Schmaltz

Augustin Nicholas “Auggie” Schmaltz, the son of Nicholas and Eva (Mitzel) Schmaltz, was born January 14, 1930, in Rugby, North Dakota. He died at the age of 80 years, surrounded by the care and love of his family, on Friday, October 8, 2010, at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.

Augustin was raised in the rural Jefferson Township, Pierce County, home of his parents and received his education at #3 Township school there.Following school, he worked the family farm until his marriage.On October 6, 1953, he was united in marriage to Beatrice Kuntz at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Fulda, North Dakota. Following their marriage, they made their home and farmed two miles south of Towner until 1958 when they purchased and moved to the Martin Kuntz family farm in Berwick Township, where Augustin and Beatrice farmed, ranched and raised their eight children. In addition to the farm and ranching work, he served on the Berwick Township Board for twenty years and was the township’s assessor for a number of years.In 1995, he and Beatrice were awarded the McHenry County Soil Conservation Award for their efforts in farming.Augustin was a member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Towner, the Knights of Columbus Council #4136 and the John F. Kennedy #0786 Assembly of the 4th Degree, both of Rugby. Auggie, as known by his friends, enjoyed listening to Sunday’s Happy Hour Old Time Music, road trips around the countryside, but, most of all, being with his family and friends. Blessed be his memory.

Those who were privileged to have shared in his life are his wife of 57 years, Beatrice, of Towner; his children, Kenneth (Linda) of Rugby, Shirley (Ted) Laugeness of Dilworth, MN, Marvin (Stacey) of Rugby, Cynthia (Richard) Schaan of Rugby, Lori (Steve) Schneider of Rugby, Duane (Maria) Schmaltz of Devils Lake, Karla (Rick) Larson of Rugby, and Darlene (Chad) Kleinknecht of Jamestown; 22 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 6 step-great-grandchildren; his mother of Rugby; two brothers, Leo of Minot and Victor (Diane) of Towner; two sisters, Rosemary Jundt of Minot and Alberta (Craig) Pankow of Washburn; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a brother in infancy, Leonard; and his father.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Towner, with burial in the church cemetery.

Fr. Michael Schommer officiated. Music was provided by St. Cecilia’s Music Ministry.

Honor Guard was The John F. Kennedy #0786 Assembly of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

Casketbearers were Michael Purington, Levi Schaan, Leighton Larson, Chris Benson, Jaden Schneider, Steven Purington, Skylar Schneider, McKade Kleinknecht, and Wyatt Schmaltz.

Honorary casketbearers were all his grandchildren.

Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Towner.