Gail A. Schmitz, 68, of Holton, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025 at her home.

She was born December 3, 1956 at Seneca, the daughter of George and Constance Engelken Hermesch. She attended Kelly Grade School and Graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in 1974. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education from Emporia State University.

Gail had taught Kindergarten through 9th grades at Wetmore, Jackson Heights, Effingham and Oskaloosa.

Gail enjoyed sewing and quilting in her retirement. She made baptismal gowns, baby blankets, and quilts for all of her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and her favorite evenings were spent gathered around the table at the farm, playing games with her family. She made a point of being at events for her children and grandchildren. She spent her weekends making sure that her family knew that she supported them at sporting, church, and school events. Gail relied on her faith and was known for keeping St. Padre Pio's "Pray, hope, and don't worry!" in her kitchen as a reminder to place her worries with the Lord. She was a loving and giving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, who always put others first. She will be missed by her many friends and her cherished family.

She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton, where she served as a Lector and a Eucharistic Minister. She was also a member of the Altar Society at the church and the Beck-Bookman Book Club.

She married David Schmitz on July 9, 1977 in St. Bede's Catholic Church at Kelly. He survives, of the home.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Don Hermesch.

Other survivors include four sons, Mike Schmitz (Elizabeth), Shawnee, Daniel Schmitz (Delaney) and Andy Schmitz (Kyle), all of Wichita, and Chris Schmitz (Kayla), Overland Park, a daughter, Jennifer (Mike) Graveman, Tonganoxie, seven brothers, Dean Hermesch (Denise), Olpe, Joe Hermesch (Jennifer), Goff, Jerry Hermesch (Gail), Centralia, Leo Hermesch (Jennifer), Eureka, Leon Hermesch (Alice), Goff, Doug Hermesch (Marcia), Belvue and Greg Hermesch (Tisha), Seneca, three sisters, Kim Kreher (Tom), Smithton, IL, Pamela Hermesch, Shawnee and Christie Henry (Jason), Glendale, MO and twenty grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24th at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. A visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the church, with a Rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Holton. Gail will lie in state from Noon until 5:00 on Sunday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas or the Beck-Bookman Library Building Fund, and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. On-line condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com