Leonard H. Schmidt

1921 - 2017

Schmidt, Leonard H.

Leonard H. Schmidt, Brillion, age 95, died Monday, October 16, 2017 at his daughter's home in Florida. He was born in Woodville Township Calumet County on November 24, 1921 (Thanksgiving Day that year) to the late Henry L. and Elizabeth (Jackels) Schmidt. Len married Delores "Lori" Mader at Sacred Heart Parish in Sherwood on June 19, 1945. She preceded him in death on May 31, 2010. Len was a lover of the land. He spent his life improving and cherishing his farm land. Len continued farming the family dairy farm after the retirement of his dad, Henry, in 1952. He served many years as Director for Farm Bureau and Manitowoc Farmer. Len loved working outdoors. He was an innovative forward-thinking farmer - installed among the first herring-bone milking parlors in Wisconsin and tiled his fields for increased drainage to ensure crop yield would be maximum and easier harvesting. He was a Pfizer seed corn salesman for many years. Even after retirement in 1983, he worked constantly cutting weeds, trimming shrubs and improving gardens and flower beds at home and at St. Francis Church. Len was so happy donating vegetables from his garden to the Food Bank in Kaukauna for several years. He enjoyed picking out hickory nuts in the winter months before going to Florida to work in Judy and John's yard in January returning home to Wisconsin in May.

Len was an active 60-year member of the St. Francis Men's Choir (Charter member) and the Mixed Choir. Len's idea of a fun evening was to gather around a piano singing both old and new songs. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights. He was also a long-time member of the Farm Bureau, Badger Breeders, DHIA, and Farm Management Association.

Leonard is survived by his children: Judy (John) Bloch of Clearwater, FL; Jeff (Diane) Schmidt of Kaukauna; Gloria (Joe) Pieters of Boyceville; Tom (Sally) Schmidt of De Pere; and Tony (Sue) Schmidt of Forest Junction; grandchildren: Dennis (Michelle Schneider) Bloch, Doug (Rosa) Bloch, Crystal Schmidt, Eric Schmidt, Greg (Maria) Pieters, Vaughn (Rachele) Pieters, Jeremiah "JT" (Toni) Pieters, Nathanial (JoEllen Sauer) Pieters, Karl (Hannah) Freeberg, Zakary Pieters, Shane (Mary) Schmidt, Brian (Dolly) Schmidt, Amanda (Steve) Beals, Becky (Andrew) Fenske, Andrew Krueger, Adam (Randi) Krueger, Mike (Jamie) Krueger, Jennifer (Dan) Koenig, and Angela (Todd) Kuchenbecker; great grandchildren: Dalton, Rachel, Ryan and Dylan Bloch, Vincent, Veronica, Angelina, Jasmine, Ava and Ella Pieters, Ephraim and Jabin Freeberg, Doug, Victoria, Johnny, Jeanne Schmidt, Grace and Bijou Beals, Thomas Schmidt, Alex and Bella Fenske, Benjamin Krueger, Mikayla and Miranda Koenig, and Ava Kuchenbecker. Len is also survived by his sister, Loraine Brink; step-brother, Ralph (Grace) Schmidt; brother-in-law, Dan Spencer; and sisters and brother-in-law: Noretta Bastian, Deanna (Max) Wolf, Carol Mader and Violet Mader. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Len was preceded in death by his wife of almost 65 years, Lori; step-mother, Mary Schmidt; father and mother-in-law, George and Olive (Klassen) Mader; siblings: Rose Mary (Hilard) Brantmeier, Clarence (Virginia "Jeanne") Schmidt [brothers Clarence and Len married sisters Jeanne and Lori], Art (Marion) Schmidt, Andrew Schmidt, Don Brink and Lucille (Harry) Johnson Spencer; step-sister Anna Marie ( Francis) Kempen; step-brother Jerry (Evelyn) Schmidt; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Ethel (Oliver) Kruse, Marion (James) Beach, Gerald "Jerry" (Irene) Mader, Adrian (Lucille) Mader, George (Eleanor) Mader, Robert "Bob" Mader, Ronald Bastian, and Audrey Mader.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 20, 2017 at ST. KATHERINE DREXEL PARISH - ST. FRANCIS CHURCH (433 County Road CE, Kaukauna) beginning at 9:00 AM until time of Mass at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Willard Van De Loo will officiate and Deacon Steve Vande Hey will assist. Committal St. Francis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established. To sign the guest book, please visit www.oconnellfh.com.