The New Wine Press vol 25 no 8 April 2017 | Page 6

Precious Blood Companions
One of God’s Gifts
by Deacon Bob Schienebeck, Park Falls/Butternut, Wisconsin Companion
her Prayer Vigil and Mass of Christian Burial. Many
people told of how Rose helped them through life
with her kindness and outgoing support, not only in
words, but in action doing and accomplishing what-
ever it would take to help someone on their journey
through life.
Rose Schmidt, Wisconsin Precious Blood
Companion, received a gift from God for the 104 years
she served him by serving others. God asked for Rose
on Saturday, March 4, 2017. She entered into her new
home with the Lord, leaving all of us—including seven
children and one brother, and grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren number-
ing 110.
She was a Mother to a countless number of people—
far more than just her family—and sister to even more
than we will ever know. She knew she was blessed and
rejoiced in that, because she trusted absolutely in God,
and she lived according to that trust.
Rose was one of God’s servants with a huge heart,
who had room for everyone. She was a true disciple,
one that God gave us, one who understood what the
teaching of Jesus on the Mount really meant.
Rose also knew how to live as a Companion and
had the love and patience to help many with the gift
of Precious Blood spirituality. She hardly missed a
Companion gathering, driving her stick-shift pickup
truck until she was in her late 90 s . Once she couldn’t
drive, someone would be there offering her a ride. Her
children said she loved the Companions and wanted
them to be part of her life.
She certainly enjoyed telling her many stories—and
many a Precious Blood priest heard those stories, since
she was already 11 years old when the first Precious
Blood priest came to Park Falls in 1923.
She had many wonderful years and touched many
people, as was demonstrated by the huge turnout for
4 • The New Wine Press • April 2017
Of course she had her own rough days—with the
death of her husband Bill in 1964 and the death of a
daughter. She also lost her home to a fire. In her own
words she said, “It was bad, real bad. I had nothing,
but my brothers (she had 9) said they would build me
a new house and it wouldn’t cost me anything, so they
built the house and all I paid for was the beer and that
cost me $2000.”
She was funny, she was witty, and she was a very
spiritual lady. She was devoted to St. Faustina and
prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet religiously until
shortly before her death. Our Companion group
gathered before her bed a few days before she died
and were gifted with her final goodbye; although she
could know longer speak, she answered with a smile.
We prayed with her and we all had one of her favor-
ite drinks in her honor, which was a shot of kummel
(she of course in days past had many stories to go
with the kummel).
We all left knowing we had witnessed something
very special. Although it was indeed the last that we
would see Rose we felt something—and we all knew
what it was: Precious Blood Spirituality. Sometimes
we see it in words, sometimes we see it in action, and
sometimes as with our visit to Rose, you just feel it,
and know it’s there.
Since her death we have had many thoughts about
Rose. She was a warm and amazing person, one who
will always be remembered for acts of kindness. In her
world everyone was welcomed—with a hug.
She may not have invented hugs, but she certainly
was instrumental in making sure her life was one, of
offering her love to all.
Only God knows how many people she reached out
to with a loving hug. Hopefully we as Precious Blood
Companions can carry out some of that gentle love
that she possessed, and one day we’ll again be hugged
by Rose. W