----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)Dec. 1, 2004

WALTER L SCHMIDT

Walter L Schmidt, age 66, of Neillsville, died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 28, at home with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.

Walter Louis Schmidt was born on Oct. 15, 1938 in Marshfield, to Emil and Hilda (Beversdorf) Schmidt. He attended the Hillside Country School and St. John’s Lutheran School, and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1956. He married Ellen Irene Shambaugh, of the town of Pine Valley, on November 11, 1961, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Neillsville. Walter grew up as an only child, but God blessed him with nine children. He was a life long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Walter worked a variety of jobs throughout his life. He was a milk hauler for Bob Knoop and Walter Wetzel. He moved houses and logs while working for Hank Markwardt Excavating & Logging. He was also employed at Nelson Muffler for a few years. Throughout the years he was a self-employed carpenter and a dairy farmer. He was most proud of his trucking career accumulating nearly three million miles over the years. He worked for a number of companies including Kurt Marg, The Neillsville Coop Transport, Barr Animal Foods, Ruan Transport and Gardner Trucking. In 1998 he started driving for his son and daughter-in-law’s company in Almond, WI, Triple S Transfer, and retired in June due to illness.

His favorite days were when his family gathered for various events. He took great pride in attending his grandchildren’s games and programs. His most recent great grandson brightened the last several months.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen, of 43 years, children: Angela (Jeffery Harder, of Colfax; Brenda (Daniel) Langreck, of Neillsville; Shannon McLarnan (daughter-in-law by Patrick), of Almond; Michael Schmidt, of Neillsville, Joyce (Mark) Smidl, of Reedsburg; Carl (Jami) Schmidt, of Almond; Mark Schmidt, of Neillsville and Adam Schmidt of Wisconsin Rapids: Grandchildren, Joshua, Chelsie, Jacob and Jeremiah Harder, Jonathon and Brittney Langreck, Catie Schmidt, Tony Mitchell, Laura and Benjamin Smidl, and his great-grandson Josiah. He was preceded in death by his parents and sons, Daniel and Patrick.

Funeral Services for Walter will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2004, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Music will be provided by Judy Trunkel, organist. Interment will be in the North Pine Valley Cemetery.

The Gesche Funeral Home of Neillsville is assisting Walter’s family with arrangements.