Raymond M. Schmitz, age 92 of Hudson died peacefully November 25th, 2019 at Hometown Senior Living in Hudson. Raymond was born on November 18, 1927 in Clayton, Wisconsin; the son of John and Elizabeth (Ritsche) Schmitz. He was raised in Clayton where he worked on the family farm. As a young man, he enlisted in the armed forces where he proudly serviced in the United States Army during the Korean War. On May 28, 1960, he was united in marriage to Margaret ‘Peg’ Cunningham at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. This union would be blessed with four children.

For many years, Ray worked as a utility man at a grain elevator in St. Paul. Ray’s life centered around his faith and family. He was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus and had fun memories of their Saturday night bowling league. He enjoyed walking the neighborhoods of North Hudson, keeping up with his vegetable garden, and rooting on the Minnesota Twins and Green Bay Packers. Early in life, he had fond memories of deer hunting with his sons, friends and other relatives. One of Ray’s greatest passions was fixing bikes. Starting out from when his kids were small, he began tinkering, fixing, and later selling refurbed bicycles. Over 40 years, Ray fixed everyone’s bike at one point or another. And he always did it for next to nothing. He was affectionately known around town as the “Bike Man of North Hudson”. He truly loved to see kids light up when their bike was ready to roll.

Ray will forever live on in the hearts of his children Mary Matz of Hudson, Peter (Karen) Schmitz of South Lyon, MI, Ann (Fran) Michaud of Scandia, MN, Mike (Tammy) Schmitz of Eau Claire; ten grandchildren: Jennifer Matz, Katie (Lorne) Wright, Amy (Sam) Kellerman, Jeff (Roxy) Schmitz, Ryan Schmitz, Justin Schmitz, Meghan (Carson) Flynn, Ben Schmitz, Carrie Schmitz, Jason Schmitz; great grandchildren Kayla and Jack Wright, Parker and Annie Kellerman; sister Mary Ann (Allen) Nelson of LaCrosse, sister-in-law Joann Schmitz of Clayton and sister-in-law Kay Schmitz of Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margaret ‘Peg’; siblings Gertrude (Frank) Moriak, John Schmitz, and Jerome Schmitz.

Mass of Christian Burial for Raymond Schmitz will be 1PM, Saturday, November 30th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Grandchildren will serve as his casketbearers. Military honors will be provided by the Hudson VFW and American Legion. Visitation will be on Friday, November 29thfrom 4pm to 6pm with a prayer service at 6pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson as well as one hour prior to the mass at church Saturday afternoon.

Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association www.ALZ.org.