Lois Ann Schmidt

Lois Ann Schmidt (nee Moede) was born into Eternal Life on Saturday, May 14, 2022, age 91. Dear mother of Debra (David) Pritchard, Thomas M. Schmidt, David (Dawn) Schmidt. Proud grandmother of Preston Pritchard (Melissa Roll), Nicole (Justin) Miller and Jacob Schmidt (Allie Korin). Great-grandmother of Sylvie Frances Miller. Loving sister of Barbara (John) Spinney. Also survived by brother-in-law James (Jo) Schmidt, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by her husband Marvin L. Schmidt, her parents, Emil and Alice Moede, and siblings Roger Moede and James Moede.

Lois was raised on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin. Her education took place in a one-room school and was supplemented by a love for reading that was fostered by her school-teacher mother. Her education was only through 8^th grade. After graduation, she worked doing cooking, cleaning and childcare for the grocer in town. Then, she moved onto waitressing at a town a bit further from home where she stayed with relatives. As a young woman, she became quite a handy seamstress, making many of her own clothes. She moved to Milwaukee and lived with her Uncle Bill and Aunt Agnes and her two cousins, Mary Ann and Marge. Lois was working in a cookie factory when she met Marvin on a double date with her cousin, Marge, and boyfriend Bob. Marvin had recently finished a twelve-year career with the Navy and was working as a printer’s apprentice. The two started dating. They married October 31, 1953. They had three children: Debra, Thomas, and David.

Lois was a homemaker and mom, continuing to sew clothes for her family and raise fresh produce in her backyard garden in addition to the usual household tasks. She was very creative when it came to making gifts for the kids, decorating for Christmas, and decorating her home. She learned to knit, crochet, and do crewel work. She knew how to stretch a dollar and make their home a welcoming place.

She instilled a love for nature in each of her children, taking them on walks in the woods on the farm she was raised on. She also instilled a love for reading in her kids as they made frequent visits to the “bookmobile” or public library.

In later years, after she was widowed, she moved to Holmen, WI. She had a cute little home on a corner lot that was packed with flowers. In the neighborhood, she was dubbed The Flower Lady.

Lois also had a strong faith in God. When she moved to Holmen, she became involved with First Free by working in the Food Pantry. After managing the pantry for a while, she moved into prayer ministry for the people that would come to the pantry. All through her life, people seemed drawn to her to share their troubles with her because they always found a listening ear. When she finally had to move from her home to Watertown, WI to an independent living apartment, the Food Pantry staff & volunteers threw Lois a big party.

Lois lived at Heritage Homes in Watertown and attended River Valley Alliance Church. After some health setbacks, she moved to assisted living, the last place being The View at Pine Ridge in Oconomowoc. Staff and residents enjoyed her quick wit and spunky nature.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin, on Friday, June 3, 2022, 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM. Celebration of Life at 1:00 PM. Burial at Wisconsin Memorial Park to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to the Food Pantry at First Free Church, 123 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI 54650.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at The View at Pine Ridge, Oconomowoc, WI and Preceptor Hospice.

Our memories of her will be cherished by all who knew her.