Virginia “Ginny” Schmidt, 72, of Tigerton, passed away Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at her home.
The former Virginia Elizabeth McKenna was born on Sept. 2, 1943, in Shawano to Stephen and Elizabeth (Hoffmier) McKenna. After graduating from Shawano High School in 1962, she worked for a while as a nanny in the Shawano area. Ginny moved to Milwaukee and worked for a short time at a George Webb restaurant. While working as a cook there, she met her husband, Irvin H. Schmidt. Ginny and Irv were united in marriage on Dec. 19, 1964, at the Milwaukee courthouse. In 1977 she began working for a children’s day care service in the Milwaukee area. By 1989 she started running her own day care business out of her home.
The couple settled in Tigerton in 2004, and Ginny kept busy with many things. For just over three years she taught water aerobics at the aquatic center in Wittenberg. She was also an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Morris, helping out with the Ladies Aid whenever possible. Her other interests included bowling, working in the yard, taking in all sorts of pets, and watching the Packers and Brewers play. Ginny was famous for her fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies and her delicious date cake. She loved her family and often opened her home to relatives and friends. Ginny was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a proud grandmother.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Irv, and three children, Irvin (Renaee) Schmidt Jr., of Fremont, Stephanie (Bryan) Herro, of Waupaca, and Roy Schmidt, of Houston, Texas. There are four grandchildren, Jessica (Andy) Fietzer, of Fremont, Kayla Anderson, of Waukesha, U.S. Marine Hunter Anderson, of North Carolina, and Cort Schmidt, of Houston, Texas. There are two great-grandchildren, Landon and Easton Fietzer. There are two brothers, Edward (Diane) McKenna, of Green Bay, and Lloyd (special friend Jenn) McKenna, of Appleton; and one sister, Maxine (John) Kallies, of Shawano. There are three stepsisters, Janice Wolf, of Appleton, Barbara Travis, of New London, and Patti Lawrence, of Shawano; and three stepbrothers, Stephen McKenna Jr., of Amherst, Robert McKenna, of Shawano, and Russell (Janice) McKenna, of Tomah. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ginny was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Roy, and an infant brother.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Morris. Pastor John Hielsberg will officiate, and inurnment will be at a later date in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service at the church.
The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Tigerton, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent via www.beil-didier.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church in remembrance of Ginny.