Funeral Service for Gene Stanley Schmaus, 73 of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. Suzie Benidt officiating. Organist will be Michelle Greseth and soloist will be Pat Schubert. Pallbearers will be Gene's two grandsons Jared Waletich and Branden Oletzke; Evan Ziemer, Brady Storbakken and Jacob McCloud. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Roberts County Sportsman Club. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota in the spring. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday at the church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, South Dakota is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Gene was born September 23, 1945 in Seattle, Washington to Stanley and Minnie (Van Heel) Schmaus. He attended Sisseton High School and graduating class of 1963. He then joined the South Dakota Army National Guard where served 6 years. He was honorably discharged in July of 1971. He was a member of the American Legion Club Post 50 in Sisseton, SD. Gene was united in marriage to Annette Tuff on January 22, 1966 at the Peever Lutheran Church in Peever, SD. To this union two daughters were born. Gene was employed by Stavig Brother's grocery, Estwick Distributing Company prior to working for CDP Hospital as a maintenance engineer. He retired from CDP in 2010 after 32 years of service. Between hunting and fishing, Gene was an avid outdoorsman.  He loved sharing his passions with his grandchildren. Gene was a lifetime member of the Roberts County Sportsmen Club. He enjoyed trap shooting, trapping and making his own duck calls. He liked to garden and enjoyed watching westerns. Gene passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Prairie Lakes Hospital, Watertown, SD surrounded by family.

Survived by his loving wife Annette of Sisseton; SD two daughters Andrea (Dewain) Waletich of Sisseton, and their children Kara Waletich of Sisseton and Jared Waletich of Sisseton; Kristi (Dale) Oletzke of Sisseton and their children Whitney (Evan) Ziemer of Browns Valley, Malissa Oletzke of Cresbard, SD and Branden Oletzke of Sisseton; one great-granddaughter his precious "Rosebud", Hope Ziemer; two sisters Sharon (Gary) Nielsen of Peever and Sandy (Duane) Batie of Sisseton; and one brother Darvin (Diane) Nelson of Wibaux, MT and one brother-in-law Tom (Diane) Tuff of Coon Rapids, MN.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Minnie (Van Heel) Schmaus; one brother and sister-in-law Gary & Catherine Nelson and one infant brother, Harlen Nelson.

A special thank you to Prairie Lakes Hospice for providing excellent care and compassion to Gene in his final days. Thanks also to Dr Gallagher of Coteau Des Prairies Hospital for his years of friendship and care.

For Gene's obituary and on-line registry, please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com