Paul John Schauer

On Monday, June 26, 2017, surrounded by his loving wife, children and their spouses, Paul J. Schauer peacefully entered into eternal life.  Paul was born on November 19, 1948 to Robert Sr. and Anita (Bismark) Schauer. Paul met his wife Jean in college at UWM, and on their first date told her he’d marry her. Paul enlisted in the US Air Force in October of 1968, and Jean (nee Langenkamp) and Paul were married in July of 1969. Six months after they married, Paul was deployed to Vietnam, where he was “loaned” to the 101^st Airborne Division of the US Army to work as a forward observer/ground radio operator. Upon his return, he completed his military service at Grissom Air Force Base in Indiana.

Jean and Paul returned to Wisconsin after his discharge to be close to his extended family and enjoy the family life that was so important to him. Paul and Jean were blessed with two wonderful children – Valerie (Scott) Latzke and Gregory (Jessica Hale) Schauer. Greater blessings arrived with each grandchild – the lights and loves of his life. Countless hours were happily spent with – in birth order – Evah Latzke, Ana Schauer, Marin Latzke and Blake Schauer.

After the Air Force, Paul had a 31-year career at UPS. Due to health issues, he was able to retire early and build his dream home on a lake in central Wisconsin. God blessed Paul with 16 memory-filled years of retirement. Any given day you could find him doing yard work, bicycling, swimming, water skiing, working out on the Total Gym, or simply relaxing on his swing reading a good novel.  Paul was an avid fan of Wisconsin sports and watched the Packers, Bucks, Brewers and Badgers any chance he got (sometimes even with his eyes closed).

Nothing made Paul more proud than seeing and talking about his children and grandchildren, and he would drop everything he was doing to spend time with them. Paul’s face would light up in the presence of his children and grandchildren, especially as he watched them perform in marathons, triathlons, soccer games, dance performances and, most recently, equestrian events. With Paul, the entire family enjoyed swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and boating. “Pontoon Time” – the time each day when boats on the lake were restricted to “no wake” – was a family favorite, and countless hours were spent in the middle of the lake with inner tubes and noodles.

All that knew Paul saw him as a strong, loyal man who would do anything for his family and friends and thought of himself last.  He had a wonderful sense of humor that could put a smile on anyone’s face. He was a devout Catholic who remained incredibly strong through his many years of illness and health complications, and insisted he felt “great” through it all.

Devoted husband and best friend of Jean (nee Langenkamp), proud father of Valerie (Scott) Latzke and Gregory (Jessica) Schauer, loving grandfather of Evah and Marin Latzke and Ana and Blake Schauer, beloved son of Anita and the late Robert C. Schauer Sr., cherished brother of Diane (Wally) Gereau and Robert Schauer Jr.  Paul will be fondly remembered by family members and many dear friends.

Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin  Friday, June 30, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Additional Visitation at St. Rita’s Parish,  2318 South 61st Street, West Allis, Saturday, July 1, 2017 from 10:30 AM until time of Mass at 11:00 AM.  Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.