Obit: Schmidt, Brenda L. (1958 - 2018)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Schmidt, Wilcox, Foster, Hendrick, Scoville, Cooper, Ferrer
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/02/2018
Schmidt, Brenda L. (6 August 1958 – 21 April 2018)
Brenda L. Schmidt, Age 59, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at her home
in Milwaukee after declining admission to the hospital so she could be at home
with her trusted black coated retrievers,
Shadow and Ruby, until the end.
Brenda was born to Glen and Joyce Wilcox on August 6, 1958 in Whitehall,
becoming the apple of Daddy’s eye. After moving to Neillsville in 1963, Brenda
attended Neillsville Public Schools.
While a teenager, Brenda worked an entire summer as a volunteer at Northern
Colony Center for the Developmentally Disabled in Chippewa Falls. This
tremendously inspiring experience kindled a
life-long commitment to altruism; hence, she was a generous supporter of
numerous charities, philanthropies and animal shelters.
Brenda graduated with honors from Neillsville High School in 1976. She then
followed in her mother’s footsteps and attended Nursing School at UW-Eau Claire,
graduating with honors in 1980. Brenda began her nursing career in Marshfield
where she met and married Douglas Foster on August 11, 1984 and took up
residence in Milwaukee. Widowed in 1988, Brenda is survived by her step-son,
Conan, and step-daughter Dinara.
Passionate about those she worked for, Brenda dedicated almost 30 years to
Zablocki VA Center until her retirement in 2016. She often spoke of the deep
respect she held for our veterans and was honored and humbled to care for them
both as a floor nurse and department head. Compassionate about those she worked
with, she volunteered to work holidays--every holiday--to allow co-workers with
small children to be home to celebrate with their families as family was very
important to her, especially on special occasions.
A horrible joke teller, she never-the-less loved us all more than we deserved,
understood us better than we knew, accepted our quirks and idiosyncrasies
unconditionally, and brought us to our knees with her keen observations and wry
humor. An avid reader, Brenda often interrupted a good book to root around in
her flower garden or cook a tasty meal. She will be deeply missed by libraries,
garden centers, hungry friends and family.
In September of 2001, Brenda was united in holy matrimony to long-time
companion, love of her life, and soulmate, Donny Schmidt, at their cabin in
Northern Wisconsin. Married by her confirmation pastor and spiritual advisor,
she remained a good ELCA Lutheran her entire life. Brenda and Donny enjoyed
their adventures at the cottage and truly cherished their time together. Widowed
again in 2011, Brenda is survived by step-daughter Erin, and the grandchildren
Brenda deeply loved.
Brenda is further survived, by her adored siblings Dennis Wilcox of Eau Claire
and Michelle (Cliff Hendrick) Wilcox of Onalaska. Brenda is also survived by a
niece Christina (Ricky) Scoville, and their 3 children of Onalaska; Sarah (DJ)
Cooper, and their 7 children of Eau Claire; nephew, Daniel Wilcox, and his son
of Eau Claire; their mother, Lori Wilcox Ferrer of St Paul, MN and numerous
aunts, uncles and cousins. Her parents, Glen and Joyce, preceded her in death.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church, 213 Hill
Street, Neillsville, on May 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with lunch to follow.
Online Condolences may be made at
www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Brenda's family
with funeral arrangements.
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