SYBELLE M. SCHMITZ, age 85, of Rural Brewster, died Friday, July 31, 2009, at the Good Samaritan House, Windom, MN. She was born August 16, 1923 in Alton, Iowa to parents Leo and Amelia (Biever) Schneider. Her grandparents settled in the Alton area during the 1880?s. John Schneider and Kathryn (Thelen) Schneider immigrated from Weisviller, France in 1880 on the ship Le America. Kathryn was born in Harrisbach, Germany. John Biever and Helena Wolf were born in Bellhove, Iowa and moved to Alton around 1900. Sybelles?s parents were Leo and Amelia and they were born in Alton and farmed there until 1936 when they moved to Brewster. Sybelle attended Catholic School in Alton, IA and moved with her family to rural Brewster where she graduated from Brewster High School in 1941. Sybelle met her husband Ray in Dundee, Minnesota and were married on December 30, 1941, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster. After their marriage, the couple farmed near Brewster. She enjoyed caring for her family and helping with the family farm, especially cooking and baking for her family and friends. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Brewster, and the Altar Society. She enjoyed flower gardening, watching the birds and the butterflies and going to the Senior Citizen Center in Brewster where she enjoyed playing cards. She was also a member of the Brewster Drum and Bugle Corp. Sybelle enjoyed her family and taking care of her grandchildren. Sybelle is survived by her seven sons and daughters-in-law, Richard & Mary Schmitz, Hudson, WI; Ronald Schmitz, Minneapolis; Darol Schmitz, Brewster; Duane & Kathy Schmitz, rural Brewster; Larry & Denise Schmitz, rural Brewster; Robert & Bonnie Schmitz, Hudson, WI; and Randol & Kay Schmitz, rural Brewster; family friend, Sam Kenney, Worthington; sixteen grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and a sister Loralie (Sylvester) Schmitz of rural Brewster, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Raymond Schmitz on February 17, 1997.