Walter R Schmid

Walter R. Schmid, Sr. (94) passed away May 8, 2006 at Bethel Home after being in failing health the last six months. Walter was born April 30, 1912, at Stone Lake, Washburn Co., Wisconsin, the son of Rev. Jacob Gottlieb and Ida Pethon Schmid. He married Elsie Metzler on June 16, 1936, in Hayward, WI. For the last three years, he has been a resident of Bethel Home. After marriage, Walter and Elsie farmed in the Hayward area for a few years. In 1939, they moved to the Town of Wayne, near Kewaskum, and rented a farm. He purchased a farm in the fall of 1945 one-half mile north of the Winnebago-Fond du Lac County Line near Van Dyne, in the area where Walter had also grown up. He and his wife lived at the homestead for 55 years, raising a family of four children. Besides farming, he hauled milk for Harry Bloedow Trucking, worked at Waite Carpet until it closed, and retired from SNC Manufacturing in 1977. Walter enjoyed traveling with his wife. He carried a camcorder wherever they went. They traveled in 49 states, the only exception being Hawaii, and they also went to Europe when he was 80 years old. As his health prevented him from getting around, he enjoyed watching the video tapes. After retirement, woodworking became his hobby, and he completed many cherished items to give to children, grandchildren, and friends. Walter had a good sense of humor and liked to tease. Walter also enjoyed a good game of Sheepshead, playing a couple of times a week with his son and friends at the nursing home. He even had a good game at his 94th birthday party with his grandsons one week ago and was sharp as a tack. Walter was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ, which was consolidated with two other churches including the New Elm Reformed Church, Town of Black Wolf, where he was confirmed and his father was pastor from 1883-1892. Walter was on the consistory of New Elm Church and served many years on the boards and council of Bethany United Church of Christ. He was also on the New Elm Cemetery Board into his late 80s. Walter was a man of faith, family and farming. He enjoyed the challenges of farming, the pleasures of family, and the rewards of a spiritual life. As a certificate declared when he was 22 years old, he was a hard-working young man, honest and reliable in every respect, and he lived up to those words throughout his life.Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie, on December 25, 2005, to whom he was married for 69 years; his parents, five brothers and sister-in-laws – Rev. Herman (Mary/Marie) Schmid, Rev. Arnold (Esther) Schmid, Rev. Calvin (Bertha) Schmid, John (Edna) Schmid, and Julius (Alice) Schmid and his sister-in-law, Lucetta Menger and her husband, Fritz. He is survived by four children and fourteen grandchildren: a daughter, Arloene Arl (Ralph) Paulson Brooks, Weyauwega, and her children, Randy (Vicky) Paulson, of Oshkosh, Kenn Paulson of Appleton, Scott (Donna) Paulson of Winston, GA, Cindy Paulson (fianc Butch Rabetski) of Neenah, and Todd (Gina) Paulson of Neenah; a son, Walter, Jr. (fiance, Sheryl Fredin), Oshkosh, and his children, Michelle Schmid (friend Mark Schultz) of Van Dyne, Mary (Tony) Voulgaris of Van Dyne, Stefanija (Dustin) Schmid-Hinds of Van Dyne, and Christopher Schmid (fiance Lisa Torn) of Oshkosh; a daughter, Margery (Clarence) Werner, Van Dyne, and their children, David (Brenda) Werner of Oshkosh and Cathy (Mike) Pamperin of Hartford; and a daughter, Janice (LeRoy Heller), Oshkosh, and their children, SMSgt. Amy Patterson-Bibbs, U. S. Air Force, Bagram, Afghanistan, Daniel (Joan) Heller of Appleton, and SSgt. Aaron Heller, U. S. Army Reserves (fiance Stephanie Placko) of Fort Benning, GA. He is further survived by 23 great-grandchildren: Sarah and Jennifer Paulson, Oshkosh; Emily Paulson, Appleton; Breanna and Jordan Paulson, Oshkosh; Elizabeth Gassner, Neenah; Rachel and Taylor Paulson, Winston, GA; Kaise and McKenna Paulson, Neenah; Alexandra, Demetri, and Michael Voulgaris, Van Dyne; Natasha Moxon, Neenah; Brittany Werner, Oshkosh; Eric, Scott, and Holly Pamperin, Hartford; Jonathon, Michael, and Erika Patterson, Moore, OK; and Benjamin and Katherine Heller, Appleton; and nieces and nephews. The family thanks the staff and volunteers at Bethel Home for the professional, loving, and great care of their miracle man Walter during the past three years.His celebration of life will be held with visitation at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-Westside on Thursday, May 11, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and with visitation one hour prior to services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 12, at Bethany United Church of Christ, 145 W. 24th Avenue, Oshkosh, with Rev. Kevin Mundell officiating. Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Park in Oshkosh. Memorials, in Walters name, to Bethany United Church of Christ or the American Diabetes Association would be appreciated.

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Thursday, May 11, 2006
4:00 to 8:00 p.m.



Bethany United church of Christ



145 W 24th Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54902

Friday, May 12, 2006
11:00 a.m.



Lake View Memorial Park



2786 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901