Curtis “Curt” D. Schmalz, a Vietnam veteran and longtime resident of Buffalo died on Tuesday June 3, 2025, at Meeker Manor in Litchfield at the age of 78.
 Curtis Duane Schmalz was born December 28, 1946, in Glencoe to Alois (Ollie) Rudolph and Hilda Dorothy (Schwartz) Schmalz. He was baptized on January 26, 1947, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Watertown.
 Growing up Curt lived in Glencoe, Clarkfield, Grandin, N.D., and Cosmos.
 Curt was confirmed on April 24, 1960, at Rosendale Immanuel Lutheran Church.
 He graduated from Cosmos High School graduating with the class of 1964.
 Curt joined the Navy when he was 17 years old, known as a kiddie cruiser, his mother signed the paperwork so he could enlist. He attended boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. Curt’s rank was Machinist Mate 3rd Class E4. He served on the USS George K MacKenzie (DD-836), a gearing-class destroyer. Curt was on active duty from July 1, 1964, to December 8, 1967. While in Japan, Curt shipped plates and crystal back home as presents to his mother. Curt was proud to be a Shellback, having experienced the time-honored tradition of crossing the equator and joining the ranks of King Neptune’s court. Curt was a proud patriot and loved sharing stories about his time on the destroyer.
 Curt was united in marriage to Barbara (Peterson) on June 12, 1971, at Peace Lutheran Church, Cosmos. This union was blessed with one son, Chad.
 Curt always provided well for his family, working multiple jobs throughout the years as a welder and then machinist. Curt was employed at Meyer Industries in Redwing, Di-Acro in Lake City, Remmele in Big Lake, UMC in Hamel, and Imagineering in St. Louis Park.
 He enjoyed woodworking, having made multiple gifts for family and friends and a roll out holder to store paraments for Hosanna Lutheran Church, reading, working on vehicles, visiting with friends, driving his golf cart, and shopping on Amazon. Curt was a Chevrolet man but if you drove a Ford, he would still be your friend. He loved collecting and shooting firearms and was a member of the Monticello Sportsmen Club. Curt liked to laugh and was a natural prankster. Curt and his wife Barbara travelled to Branson, Mo., with friends in 2016 and 2017.
 He loved his family and treasured his friendships. His faith in God was always there with him.
 Curt is survived by his wife, Barbara of Buffalo; son, Chad (Jennifer) of Buffalo Lake; grandchildren, Cody Schmalz of Buffalo Lake, Brittany Schmalz of Hutchinson, Alexis Schmalz of Hutchinson, and Wyatt Schmalz of Buffalo Lake; his beloved cats; and many other friends and relatives.
 Curt is preceded in death by his parents, Alois and Hilda Schmalz; sister, Karen Zander; brothers, Keith and Kenneth Schmalz; and father- and mother-in-Law, Donald and Byrnice Peterson.
 Funeral service will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning two hours prior at 9 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 302 Second Street NE, Buffalo. Interment with military honors will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery of Cedar Mills/Hutchinson.
 Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.