Obit: Schmidt, Ronald A. (1932 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cooper, Esqueda, Haenel, Hanson, Hendrickson, Kilty, Manecke, Meserole, Owens, Schmidt, Schnabel, Schumacher, Ven Rooy

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 4/08/2017

Schmidt, Ronald A. (23 JAN 1932 - 5 APR 2017)

Ronald A. Schmidt, age 85, of rural Colby, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at his home under the tender care of hospice surrounded by his loving family.

A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at First United Church of Christ in Colby. Pastor Teri Hanson will officiate.

Family and friends are welcome from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21 and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services Saturday all at the church.

Ronnie was born on January 23, 1932, the son of Arthur and Edna (Hendrickson) Schmidt in Marshfield. He graduated from Colby High School in 1950. On April 16, 1955, Ronald was united in marriage to Lillian "Jeanne" Schnabel in Colby. She preceded him in death on July 19, 2010. Together they farmed in the Town of Hull.

Ronnie grew up on the family farm and after high school, he worked for Marathon Electric. He also drove truck for Streckert Doors, Lamont Trucking and Packaging Corporation of America.
Ronnie was proud to have worked with his dad at Cherokee Park, including building the shelter and laying the stones for the fireplace. He especially loved his family cookouts during holidays and Sundays where brats and cheese were always plentiful.

Ronnie is survived by his four children: Connie J. (Ken) Ven Rooy, David N. Schmidt, Daniel A.
(Bethanie) Schmidt and Ron E. Schmidt all of Colby; ten grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Brad) Schumacher of Baldwin and their children, Hailey and Rylan, Jeremy (Jess) Kilty of Hatley and their children, Cadence, Cameron and Chael, Jayme (Travis) Owens of Knoxville, TN and their children, Makenna and Talan, Valerie (Craig) Manecke of Edgar and their children, Skylee and Mason, Gena (Dom) Esqueda of Madison and their children, Ben and Dylan, David A. Schmidt of Colby, Nicole Meserole (fiance', John Cooper) of Colby and their children, JD, Kayla and Logan, Ally Meserole (Steven Haenel) of Medford, Jordan Schmidt and Rachel Schmidt both of Colby.

He is further survived by his brother, Neal (Alice) Schmidt of Maine; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Schnabel of Unity; two brothers-in-law, Donald (Rita) Schnabel of Stetsonville and Marvin (Dixie) Schnabel of Elk Grove Village, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his best friend and companion, King.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jeanne and his son, Donny.