Obituary: John B. Schmidt

John B. Schmidt, age 93, passed away peacefully and entered eternal life on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at his home overlooking the family farm.

He was born at his family’s homestead on April 13,1930, son of the late John H. and Mary (Timmers) Schmidt. John attended St. Francis Catholic School in Hollandtown. On August 18, 1955 he married his late wife, Nancy Huss, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kaukauna, and together they raised seven children. The couple farmed all their married life in the Town of Woodville and retired on a parcel of farmland. Faith, Family, and Farming was very important to John. John held his faith beliefs in high esteem and was a faith-filled Catholic who had a close relationship with God and the Blessed Mother. After Mass, he always enjoyed grabbing a bite to eat with family. John loved farming and deeply cared about the animals God entrusted him with. John was a very progressive farmer, being one of the first in Calumet County to install a milking parlor. He received the Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1960, and was a member of the Brillion Co-op, which he served on the Board of Directors. John was very proud that Nancy and him were able to raise their children on the family farm and instill an appreciation for agriculture. As the years progressed, John and Nancy were joined on the farm by their son, Bruce, and shortly after by another son, Corey. Together they formed Grand View Dairy Farm Inc. which John retired from. In retirement, John loved to know anything and everything happening on the farm. You could always find John in a vehicle “supervising” and admiring the activities of the farm. Whether it be fieldwork, harvest season, or just a drive by, he always checked up on what was going on. John also truly enjoyed spending time with his family. This included attending and supporting grandchildren’s activities, going for car rides (with a stop for ice cream), and always ready for a game of 31, Kings Corners, Sheephead, or Spoons.

He is survived by his children and their families: Cindy (John) Hill and their daughter, Jacquelyn; Tom Feuerstein and his daughter, Rachel (Ethan) Vandermause and their son Myles and Tom’s son, Ryan (Dana); Brian (Carol) Schmidt and his sons, Nathan (Hailey) and Adam and daughter, Mikayla; Bruce (Colleen) and their sons, Kyle (fiancée Sarah), and Matthew (Brittany); Craig; Corey (Kathy) and their sons, Derek, Tyler (fiancée Emily), and Logan; Chad (Terri) and their daughters, Ava and Mackenzie. John is also survived by brother, Donald Schmidt; sister-in-law, Dot Schmidt; brother-in-law Ken Huss; family friend, Pam Schmidt; many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 59 years, Nancy, daughter, Beth Feuerstein; sisters and brothers and their spouses: Rosella (Harry) Packowski; Genevieve (Aloysius “Wiss”) Schuh; Evelyn (Herman) Nehring; Marie (Earl) Hackbarth; Harriet (Tom) Christianson; Theresa Holewinski; Willard Schmidt; Alphonse Schmidt; and Marge Schmidt. He was further preceded in death by Nancy’s family: Lawrence (Agnes) Huss; Sylvester (Ethel) Huss; Katherine Huss; Jerry (Dee) Huss; Robert (Millie) Huss; Cleon (Marion) Huss; Floyd (Arlene) Huss; George (Rosie) Huss; and sister-in law Rosie Huss.

Funeral Services were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Brillion. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial was the Rev. Tom Pomeroy and Deacon Greg Van Thiel. The family met with relatives and friends at Holy Family Catholic Church, Brillion, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023. A Rosary Service concluded the visitation at 7:00 p.m. led by Deacon Greg Van Thiel. Friends called Friday morning at church from 11:00 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. Burial was in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Hollandtown at a later date.

Online condolences may be made.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville assisted the family with funeral arrangements.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to his loving caregivers Kathy Schmidt and Pam Schmidt for all they did for Dad to stay at home. Thank you also to Steve Schwuantes, Deb Schmidt, and Sue Vanderloop for helping Dad in his time of need, and ThedaCare at Home Hospice for their compassion and kindness, especially Ben, RN and Ida, CNA. As a final farewell, as John would always say, “God Bless You.”