Paul Thomas Schmelzer, age 75, of Ridgeway, Iowa, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2021, at home, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, May 17, 2021, at the at the Assumption Catholic Church in Canton, with Rev. Edward McGrath presiding.
Visitation will be from 2–5 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, 2021, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and also after 10 a.m. at the church on Mon-day morning. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Paul is survived by his wife, Diane, of almost 57 years; seven children: Paula (Donny) McIntyre, Decorah; Pam (Jerry) McCabe, Preston, Minn.; Denise (Kent) Stille, Decorah; Doug (Jackie) Schmelzer, Ridgeway; David (Jennifer) Schmelzer, Ridgeway; Dana (Donny) Smith, Ridgeway; Pat (Shannon) Schmelzer, Cresco; 30 grandchildren: Kayla (Dean) McIntyre, Matthew (Allie) McIntyre, Travis (Brittany), Jenna (Kyle) Whalen, Amanda (Joel) Thomas, Alex (Allison) McCabe, Adam (Alexis) McCabe, Brandon (Michelle) Stille, Stephanie (Jason) Cenek, Taylor (Chase) Christopher, McKenzie Schmelzer, Zach Schmelzer, Brelynn (Jacob) Johnson, Bryce Lensing, Jordan (Ethan) Lunde, Mariah (Tim) Moon, Blake Schmelzer, Carter Schmelzer, Annika Schmelzer, Jackson Schmelzer, Gracelyn Schmelzer, Hunter Praska, Hailey (Trent) Praska, Derek (Ariana) Smith, Chelsey (Spen-cer) Schmitt, Kole (Mercedes) Schmelzer, Konner Schmelzer, Kody Schmelzer, Kail Schmelzer, and Kadyn Schmelzer; 19 great-grandchildren (five more coming this summer); brothers- and sisters-in-laws Floyd Baumler, Rochester, Minn.; Arlan (Karen) Baumler, Zumbro Falls, Minn.; and Sharon Wiltgen, Gaylord, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Clair; mother- and father-in-law Martin and Ester (Schott) Baumler; daughter-in-law Ami Engan Schmelzer in 1999; brothers- and sister-in-laws Virgil Baumler, Elaine (Arlin) Brynsaas, Joyce Baumler, LaVonne (Florian) Gehling, Larry Baumler, Donna Koperski, and Ron Wiltgen.