Bobbie Schmidt

Bobbie J. Schmidt (Suffridge-Mathweg) (83), died peacefully in her home with her daughters and a granddaughter, Sarah, by her side on November 1, 2025, in Fall River, WI.

Bobbie was born on March 28, 1942, in Cincinnati, OH, to Gilbert and Elsie (Vaught) Suffridge. She grew up with her older sister, Janet, living in Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and later Mukwonago, WI. The sisters were inseparable as children, and their relationship was a lifelong source of comfort and joy, woven tightly by shared experiences.

Bobbie attended Mukwonago High School and caught the eye of Robert (Bob) Schmidt, who quickly convinced her that he and his friends were “good guys” to hang out with. Bobbie’s high school years were filled with joyful memories as a cheerleader, along with dates, dances, and laughter. Although Bobbie and Bob, like some high school sweethearts, evenly lost contact, one of her greatest gifts from those years was the lasting friendship she formed with seven female classmates. Together, they called themselves ‘The Great 8’, and their bond carried them through marriages, children, careers, empty nesting, and into retirement.

After graduating from high school, Bobbie attended flight attendant school in Minneapolis, MN, before returning to Mukwonago. She met Gerald (Jerry) Mathweg when she was renting an apartment from his aunt. They married in November 1961 and moved to Randolph, WI, where Jerry took over his family’s hardware store.

Bobbie wholeheartedly supported Jerry’s decision to run the family business and created a safe and secure home for her five children: Tim, Michelle, Heidi, Robin, and Tony. She was one of the several caring and generous moms of the ‘Center Street Gang’, always opening her home to family and friends.

Bobbie’s kind and warming heart and love was expressed through knitting and crocheting mittens, hats, scarves, sweaters and afghans for her family, friends and extended family. With each new addition to her own or her friend’s families, Bobbie created a special baby blanket – a token of love – to wrap each precious child in warm.

Bobbie had a servant’s heart and was a true pioneer at a time when a woman’s role was often limited to the home. She returned to college to earn her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) degree and became the first volunteer female ambulance attendant and fire fighter on the Randolph Fire Department, paving the road for future generations of female first responders in Randolph. Bobbie also dedicated many years to shaping the Randolph education system as a school board member. Throughout her career, she cared for the elderly at the Randolph and surrounding area nursing homes, assisting living facilities, and volunteered at non-profit organizations.

After 46 years of marriage to her husband, Bobbie’s journey took a new turn. Though her marriage to Jerry ended, she carried forward the strength, warmth, and resilience that defined her as a mother and friend. In the next chapter of her life, she was brought back to a familiar embrace—her high school sweetheart, Bob. Their reunion and marriage was a testament to the enduring power of love, as they rekindled a connection that had begun in their youth and blossomed anew in their later years.

Bobbie and Bob spent several years traveling the United States in their RV, where Bobbie delighted in outdoor adventures and listening to Bob’s stories. When their travels came to an end, they settled in Beaver Dam, WI, where Bobbie continued her love of gardening, making connections with new friends, and going to rummage sales to find “treasures” only to drop them off randomly to her children’s homes. Bobbie’s later years was filled with acceptance, laughter, and deep love from Bob.

Bobbie is proceeded in death by her husband, Bob, parents, sister, and daughter Michelle. She is survived by her children: Tim (Cathy) Mathweg, Tony (Tracy) Mathweg, both of Fond du Lac, WI, Heidi (Mark) Wallace of Beaver Dam, WI, and Robin (Mark) Johnson of Menomonie, WI. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, nephews, and numerous friends who will always remember her love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and bright smile.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to the entire staff of The Meadows of Fall River, and a special thank you to Bobbie and Bob’s primary nurse case manager from Common Heart Palliative Care and Hospice, Barb, and all of her teammates for the tender care and compassion shown during their last days.

To honor their final wishes and celebrate their love and life, a graveside funeral for Bobbie and Bob will take place at the Randolph Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025 (weather permitting).

 In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, the family kindly requests any donations be made a charity of choice in memory of Bobbie and Bob.