Jean Cecilia Schmitz (née Ryan) of Cokato, Minnesota, passed away in the early morning of April 24, 2026, at the age of 82.
Raised in Cedar Mills, Minnesota, Jean was born on May 12, 1943. She was the daughter of an Irish father and Danish mother. In truth, she was also a quarter English—something she firmly denied even when presented with undeniable proof (including the fact that Kimball, Minnesota is named after her direct ancestors…though her Irish side simply wouldn’t allow her to admit it).
Jean is survived by her husband of 51 years, Mike Schmitz, and her four children: Cris (Kathryn) Arens, Tim (Laura) Arens, Mindy (Mike) Anderson, and Joseph (Nickole) Schmitz, all of whom have built families of their own.
As a young mother, Jean lived on Air Force bases throughout the South during the Vietnam War era. In 1971, she returned to Minnesota. She later met Mike, and together they built a life and raised their family in the countryside near Cokato.
Jean lived a full and adventurous life. She traveled the world—from Japan to Thailand to Scotland—visiting her children as they pursued their own journeys, and exploring many other places with friends along the way. Alongside Mike, whose work as an over-the-road truck driver took them across the country, Jean saw much of the United States firsthand. A proud traveler, she visited 48 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and at 82 was still planning her final road trip to Vermont and Maine. She may not get to enjoy that lobster roll, but her son Tim and daughter-in-law Laura will make the journey with her ashes before she takes one final adventure over Niagara Falls.
Her passing was sudden and deeply felt by all who loved her. But Jean would want us to smile—because going quickly was exactly how she would have wanted it.
She leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: Cody (Grace) Anderson, Max (Emma) Ibata-Arens, Colton (Chloe) Anderson, Jacob Schmitz, Elizabeth Ibata-Arens, Daniel Schmitz, Grace Schmitz, and Naomi Schmitz, as well as her first great-grandchild, Wren Anderson.
They will always remember the kindness, humor, and spirit of “Nana.”
Jean never wanted a traditional funeral—she wanted a party. A celebration of her life, in true Irish wake fashion, will be held at the Schmitz family farm on Sunday, May 17th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a reflection of her life at 2:00 p.m.
Schmitz Family Farm
10028 50th St SW
Howard Lake, MN 55349