Sister Mary Ann Schmitz, SMP, age 93, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Valley City, ND, died Monday, November 8th at SMP Health, St. Catherine North in Fargo. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 15th at Maryvale Convent Chapel in Valley City. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Maryvale Convent Chapel. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Sunday evening. Interment will in in Maryvale Cemetery.
Dorothy May was born, May 18, 1928 in Harvey, ND to Frank Nick and Gertrude Katherine (Strauss) Schmitz. She attended elementary and high school at St. Cecilia School, Harvey, ND and graduated from St. Catherine’s School, Valley City, ND in 1948. She made Vows of consecrated chastity, obedience and poverty to God with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, August 22, 1946. She received her bachelor’s degree from the Great Falls College, Great Falls, Montana, July 1961. She completed her master’s degree at St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, July 1966 in education administration.
Sister Mary Ann served as an elementary teacher at Notre Dame Academy, Willow City, ND 1946-47 and 1955-61; St. Charles Borromeo School, Oakes, ND 1947-54; St. Aloysius Academy, Oakwood, ND 1954-55 and 1961-63. She was a teacher and principal at St. Patrick’s School, Washington, Illinois 1963-2003. She spent 57 years in elementary education as a teacher and principal. She then served 15 years as Pastoral Care visitor at St. Catherine North and South, Fargo, ND 2005 – 2020.
She is survived by her Religious Community, the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, and her siblings Ray Schmitz, Bismarck, ND; Harold Schmitz, Webster, SD; Emelie Schmitz, Aurora, CO; Linda (Elroy), Bismarck, ND; nine nieces and nephews, and numerous grand and great nieces and nephews.
Proceeding her in death were her sister-in-laws Agnes and Ruth Schmitz.