William “Willie” Schmalz, 87

William “Willie” Schmalz, 87, Badger, Minn., died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 at his home in Badger.
William Christ Schmalz was born Feb. 5, 1929 at Killdeer, N.D. to parents Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz.  He grew up and attended schools in North Dakota. Willie broke horses and worked on ranches in his younger years.
He married the love of his life, Evelyn Veverka on Dec. 26, 1950.
In 1951, he boarded a train for Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., for Army training for the Korean War.  After his discharge, he worked in a warehouse in Dickinson, N.D., and on the Davis Ranch at Killdeer.  In 1953, he started work with Moss Trucking at Tioga, N.D. and moved his family there.  Later they moved to Keene, N.D., where they started their ranch.
In 1968, he gave up his oil field work and moved to Caribou, Minn. to become a full-time rancher.  It was successful and the tradition is still carried on today by his son and grandson and their families.
Willie and Evelyn retired from the Caribou ranch in 1993 and moved to Badger, where they enjoyed their retirement years, traveling in their RV, fishing and dancing.  Willie’s favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, dancing, watching TV and keeping Evelyn happy.  
Willie was a member of the V.F.W. and American Legion.
Willie is survived by his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; children, Deb (David) Dokken,  Greenbush, Minn.;  Blaine “Butch” (Faye) Schmalz, Lancaster, Minn.;   Kay Wallace, Badger; Billie (Bob) Krieg, Tupelo, Ok.; and Darla (Les) Wallenberg, Lancaster; grandchildren, Becky Ylitalo, Mindy Berger, Darby Dokken, Amy Rominski, Kelsey Stenmark, Cody Schmalz, Wendy Fredrickson, Angie Sobolik, Amanda Harris, Klint Mahne and Hunter Wallace; great-grandchildren, Trevor Grand; Alex and Maisy Ylitalo; Ali and Tylor Berger;   Kayla Hagen; Anna Marie Dokken;   Grant, Garrett and Greta Rominski; Siri, Joie, Kiefer, Brynlee and Soren Stenmark; Ty and Tayah Schmalz;  Courtney, Payton and Sophie Fredrickson; Carter and Brody Sobolik; Ahviana, Bishop and Adalyah Harris; two great-great-grandchildren, Raven & Jemma; sisters, Annabell (Gerry) Weber, Dickinson, N.D. and Elaine (John) Buresh, Towner, N.D.  
He was preceded in death by a baby son, Brian; grandchildren, Stacy Wallenberg and Jody Schmalz, his parents, and brother, LaVern.
Funeral Services were held Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Badger, with Father John Kleinwachter, officiating.
Military Honors were by the Roseau Memorial Honor Guard.
Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Badger with funeral arrangements by Gieseke Funeral Chapel of Greenbush.