Bernard ""Bernie"" Schmick

1928 - 2017

Bernard “Bernie” Schmick, age 89, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI died Sunday, September 10, 2017 at his residence.

 

Funeral services are 11:00 AM Friday, September 15, 2017 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, (St. Mary’s) in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Fr. Valentine Joseph will officiate. Visitation will be at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church on Friday from 10:00-11:00 AM. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI is assisting the family.

 

Bernie was born June 3, 1928 in Rudolph, WI to Bernard and Evelyn (Doran) Schmick. In the early years, Bernie loved to swim in Mosquito Creek with his friends. Bernie graduated from Lincoln High School. He was active in high school sports, especially football and boxing and received a football scholarship to Drake University but chose a different path. After high school, Bernie attended summer workshops at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He married Delores Gorski and together they had seven children. Later their marriage ended in divorce. He married Marlyce Richardson Heiser on June 2, 1984. Bernard was employed at Consolidated Papers Inc. for many years retiring in 1994.

 

Music was a very important part of Bernie’s life. He began playing steel guitar at age 12 under the instruction of famous Hawaiian steel guitarist Herbert Akioka and played with his sister Alice at many events including WFHR Radio, family weddings and many other outings. For many years Bernie played steel guitar in area bands and also played guitar with the Tanya Tucker Band and also traveled the Midwest with his family band.

 

Later in life Bernie also sang with the Saints Peter & Paul Choir, the Our Lady Queen of Heaven Choir and for several years sang with the Monteverdi Chorale where he performed at the Von Trapp Family Lodge (The Sound of Music) in Vermont.

 

In retirement years, Bernie and Marlyce enjoyed camping, traveling through the U.S. and Canada as well as a trip to Scotland, England and Ireland. He also was an avid outdoorsman, especially fishing, hunting, and did bird counting for the Audubon Society.

 

Bernie is survived by his wife, Marlyce; six children, Alan Schmick of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, David (Karen) Schmick of Nekoosa, WI, Kathy (Harvey) Beadle of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Daniel (Cindy) Schmick of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Karen Hoff of Coeur d’Alene, ID and Mary (Lon) Christopherson of Gillette, WY; 12 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sister, Agnes Kalman of Milwaukee, WI and many nieces and nephews.

 

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Steven and sister Alice Zimmerman.

 

“Bernie’s family would like to thank Ministry Home Health (Hospice) and the entire staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital for the loving, compassionate care given to Bernie.”