Randy Schmitz

Randy Jacob Schmitz was born on December 14, 1952, in Rochester, Minnesota. His parents were the late Elroy Jacob and Elizabeth Lillian (Gleason) Schmitz. Randy attended Wadena High School in Wadena, Minnesota.

Randy met Yvette Zutter when he was 16, and she was 13. On February 9, 1974, Randy and Yvette were united in marriage at the Wadena County Courthouse in Wadena, Minnesota. In 1978, they were blessed with a daughter, Crystal. Shortly after, Randy and Yvette moved to Cavalier, North Dakota where he worked for Wright’s Tree Service for one year. They made their home in Wadena in 1979. In 1980, Randy and Yvette were blessed with their second daughter, Emily. Randy and Yvette were married for seven years and have continued to have a close family relationship.

Randy began his career at John’s Car Care in Wadena, in 1995. Over time he gained his renowned nickname, “Tow Truck Randy”. He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing, and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Randy was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic cancer in Nov 2021. Randy was a fighter, he lived life to the fullest, he never let the cancer make him feel sorry for himself. He continued to go to work every day until 3 weeks before he passed. He enjoyed life, spent all his remaining time with his daughters and grandkids and took many trips out to his land where he cherished and loved deeply. He took his cancer treatments like a trooper, never ever once complained about them. Randy passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at home with his daughters by his side.

Randy is preceded in death by his parents: Elroy and Elizabeth Schmitz; brother Mike Schmitz; brother-in-law: Darold Kern; grandparents: Jake and Louella Schmitz; and James and Lillian Gleason; and uncle: James Gleason.

Randy is survived by his daughters: Crystal (Sam Goeden) Schmitz of Wadena; Emily (Lawrence) Lubitz of Butler; 8 grandchildren: Angela (Eric) Blaha, Taylor, Leigha, Makenzie, Hunter, Logan, Mason, and Aiden; 3 great-grandchildren: Kassen, Easton, and Emmett; siblings: Larry Schmitz of Nisswa;, Rick (Vicky) Schmitz of Wadena; Linda Schallock of Delano; Sheila Schmitz of Wadena; Danny (Donna) Schmitz of New York Mills; Wendy Schmitz of New York Mills; Tony Schmitz of Wadena; Connie Kern of Little Falls; Tim (Deb) Schmitz of New York Mills; and Cindy Savaloja of Wadena; along with many other relatives and a host of friends.

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 1-3 p.m. at Karvonen Funeral Home in Wadena, Minnesota.

Please visit karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Randy’s family.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena, Minnesota.