Administrative/Biographical History
Albert A. Schmirler was born 23 February 1914 in Edgar, Wisconsin, the son of Anton J. and Louise M. (Gartmann) Schmirler. A.A. Schmirler came to North Dakota in May 1942 when he was ordained as a Catholic priest in Fargo by Bishop Aloysius Muench. Father Schmirler served as a priest in several North Dakota parishes until his death in 1982.
Schmirler 's education began with the study of classics at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, from 1929 until 1935. He studied philosophy from 1935 to 1937 at St. John's Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota, and theology at St. Francis Seminary in Wisconsin from 1937 to 1939. He also studied theology at St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota from 1941 to 1942, after which he was ordained as a priest.
Schmirler's first assignment was to serve as assistant pastor in Rugby, North Dakota, from 1942 to 1946. He also served as pastor of the parish in Blumenfeld, North Dakota, until 1951. After this post, he served in parishes Page, Munich, and Enderlin until 1972. That January, he became Special Historical Research Assistant at North Dakota State University in Fargo. In September, Schmirler was assigned to St. Benedict's Church in Wild Rice, North Dakota. Following this position, Schmirler returned to Ruby to become pastor of the Little Flower Parish. His final posting was as pastor of St. Luke's Parish in Vesleyville, North Dakota. Father Schmirler died there July 23, 1982.
