Joseph G. Schatz, 80, Dickinson, ND, died Friday, May 30, 2008 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Joe’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m., Thursday, June 5, 2008 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Father Austin Vetter as celebrant. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service. There will be a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service. Interment will be at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan at 2 pm MDT. Military honors will be provided by the Veterans Drill Team.
Joseph G. Schatz was born March 22, 1928 to Gabriel and Benedicta (Wangler) Schatz at Kintyre. Joe attended Weigl school district near Kintyre. Joe was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1953 after serving in Germany. He married Rose Haag on October 26, 1954 at Richardton. Joe and Rose farmed near Richardton for five years before moving to Dickinson when he went to work for his brother, Clemens at Truck Tractor Service Garage as a mechanic.
Joe was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member. He also served as an usher and Eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for many years. Joe enjoyed working at the fundraising events at the Knights of Columbus building in Dickinson. He also volunteered at Mardi Gras for a number of years. In his spare time Joe enjoyed woodworking, crafts, gardening, and playing pinochle. Joe’s fondest memories, however, was time spent with his family.
Joe is survived by his three children; Carmel Steckler, Lakewood, Colo., Geralyn (Rodney) Chwialkowski, Champlin, Minn., and Bonnie Thompson, Las Cruces, N.M.; three brothers, Daniel, Sterling, Andrew, Alameda, Calif., and Karl (Carol) Kettle River, Minn.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, four brothers; Frank, Anton, Clemens, and Alois, and one infant sister, Kate.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to St. Benedict’s Health Center or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
