William E. “Bill” Schommer, age 94 of Hastings, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday morning, October 7, 2024. Bill, our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, you are home. We pray you may rest peacefully in the arms of our Saviour for eternity.
William Eugene Schommer was born on November 29, 1929, in Hastings, MN, to Margaret (Fuchs) and Edward Schommer. He attended Hastings High School and worked at Cudahys as a meat cutter before joining the National Guard, where he served as a staff sergeant during the Korean War. On June 2, 1951, he was joined in holy matrimony to Marilyn Burr at Saint Boniface Church in Hastings. They were blessed with five children, 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 70 wonderful years of marriage.
After his military service, Bill and Marilyn made Hastings their home. Bill worked at Smead Manufacturing, where he managed the print shop and played a key role in starting the union. He later served as a plant manager at Saint Paul Ammonia for 25 years. He then reinvented his work life and held sales roles with Gemini and Industrial Customs Products. Known for his reliability and dedication, Bill worked well into his 80s, earning the nickname “Old Bill.” Though he preferred a notepad to a computer, he was reliable and smart and his co-workers knew he’d get the job done.
Bill had a servant’s heart and always put others before himself. Over the years, he was dedicated to his parish and the Total Life Care Center in Hastings. He always looked forward to time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending all their activities as their biggest fan. They relished the love and attention he gave them, and shared many cherished moments together at his cabin in Danbury, Wisconsin. As an avid outdoorsman, he taught them to hunt, fish, and respect the environment.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marilyn; parents and siblings, Bernard, Leonard, Raymond, Mildred, Lorraine, Betty, Edward (Mike), Margaret Ann, and Ronald; daughter-in-law, Patti Schommer; and by the extended Burr siblings and spouses.
Bill is survived by his children, Julie (Kelly) Orth, William (Martha) Schommer, Marian (Ken) Hausladen, Mark (Mary) Schommer, Sharon (Mark) Blatzheim; 15 grandchildren, Amy (Jeff) Hammer, Gina (Dominic) Wareham, Michael (Jen) Orth, Maria (Brian) Thorstad, Nicholas (Amanda) Schommer, Juliet (John) Leonard, Emily (Isaac) Kendall, Paul (Angelica) Hausladen, Jillian (Ryan) Hendrickson, Meghan (Brad) Lawinger, Katlyn (Jake) Haws, Patrick (Maria) Schommer, William (Kristin) Blatzheim, Bridget (Jon) Hauff, and Brianna (Adam) Kunkel, and 41 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Rita Fasbender, Joan Jacobsen, and Robert (Sandy) Schommer; brother-in-law, Ed Temmers; sisters-in-law, Ruth Schommer, Shirley Schommer, and Darlene Schommer; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment with Military Honors were provided by Hastings VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery in Hastings.
Family and friends were cordially invited to a visitation from 4-7 p.m. Thursday evening at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, and for one hour prior to the service at church on Friday morning.
Bill’s family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their loving care and support provided to dad over the last three weeks.
In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family requests memorials be made to TLC of Hastings or to the donor’s choice in his memory.
For guestbook and further information, please visit www.hastingsmnfuneral.com.
Arrangements were completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
