Sharon L. Schmidt

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley.” — Song of Solomon 2:1

Sharon Lee “Oma” Schmidt passed away peacefully while surrounded by generations of loved ones on Monday, December 15, 2025. She was 88.

Sharon was born on July 22, 1937, in Appleton, Wisconsin to Howard (Howie) and Alice Arent. She graduated from Appleton West High School and shortly thereafter met Paul. They dated once at that time but did not awaken their love until they met again by chance in Denver, Colorado. The season of their love had begun, and they married in April of 1960. They built their life and raised their children in Wisconsin between Clark St. in Appleton and the Island in Park Falls. Her vow to love and cherish her husband, in sickness and health, was met with grace when a stroke required Paul to enter an early retirement. Sharon tirelessly managed Paul’s care until his passing in 2019. She managed their household and the logistics of wintering in Florida for the next 30 years where their communities grew in Cocoa Beach, Oviedo, and Mount Dora. In her later years, with the love and help of her kids, she maintained her home on Spencer Village Ct. and her winters in Florida.

Sharon was a devoted wife, a caring mother, and a class act of a woman with many talents and passions. She learned to play the accordion as a young girl, a tribute to her German roots. She loved to dance the jitterbug, tend to her flowers, and go fishing. She could bait a line with a leech on her finger and taught her grandkids how to dig up earthworms in the garden. As the matriarch of her family, Sharon was disciplined, joyful, and charismatic. She took pride in maintaining a clean and orderly home. She balanced her life with rest and fun, always adding to the spirited laughter of family and friends, especially around the card table or another Green Bay first down.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Justin Schmidt in April of 2019; her parents; and by her brother, Donald “Donny” Arent. She is survived by her younger brother, Richard “Dick” Arent; her four children, Julie (Tim) Kovacich, Jeff (Laureen) Schmidt, David “Mitt” (Maria) Schmidt, and Lori Reynolds; fourteen grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

For her final months, we’d like to thank the hardworking and caring staff at Eagle Point Assisted Living. And for her final days, a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Boese and staff at ThedaCare Medical Center in Appleton.

Sharon’s life will be honored at Bethany Lutheran Church, 530 W Parkway Blvd, Appleton, WI 54911 on December 27th with a visitation starting at 9:00 AM and a service to follow at 10:00 AM, officiated by Pastor Matt Krenke. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting some geraniums (Sharon’s favorite flower) in your own garden this coming Spring in remembrance of Sharon.