Eugene E. Schmidt, 76, of the town of Farmington, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at his home with his family by his side.
He was born on February 15, 1938, in Barton, the son of the late Andrew and Susan (Schmidt) Schmidt. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Barton and was a 1956 graduate of West Bend High School. On May 6, 1961, Eugene was united in marriage to Barbara Augustine at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Barton.
Eugene was a member of the Army National Guard and became active duty in Fort Lewis, Washington serving his country in the U. S. Army from 1961-62.
He enjoyed mechanical things and built a race car with his brothers, Gerald and Paul. He enjoyed attending tractor shows, race and classic cars. Eugene held long-time memberships with Sussex Antique Power Association and J.I. Case Collectors Association and attended many conventions in the Midwest. He ran an ice cream stand with the help of family and friends at the Sussex tractor show.
After graduating from high school, Eugene was employed by the Gehl Company in West Bend. During his working years, other places of employment were with Steel Warehouse in Oak Creek and Inryco Steel in Milwaukee. Eugene was a very good maintenance electrician and while with Inryco he traveled to Texas, California and Illinois to help set up machines. He also owned a welding repair service business and also worked for Kettle Moraine Coating. In 1987 he began working for Matenaer Corporation in West Bend. He worked there until November 2013.
Eugene was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michaels, St. Joseph's Society of St. Mary's and the American Legion Lt. Ray Dickop Post 36 West Bend.
Eugene was most content when he was working and was most happy when he was busy. He will fondly be remembered for his work ethic, his county fair blue ribbon winning homemade soap, his love to travel to points of interest in the United States with his family, volunteering at brat frys with St. Joseph's Society and serving coffee at St. Michael's Annual Fall Festival. He had a deep fondness for animals, especially the family cat, Abby, his daughter's German shepherd, Sage and the late dog, Heidi. Eugene will be deeply missed by his wife, his family and by all who knew him.
Those Eugene leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 52 years, Barbara; five children, Linda Schmidt of Iron Ridge, Diane (Mitch) Mansavage of Hartford, Kenneth Schmidt, Susan Stevenson and Daniel Schmidt all of West Bend; four brothers, Fr. Donald Schmidt of South Milwaukee, Richard (Patricia) Schmidt of Port Washington, Gerald (Diane) Schmidt of West Bend and Paul (Yvonne) Schmidt of Charlotte, North Carolina; a sister, Rita (Patrick) Shanahan of Milwaukee; four grandchildren, Thomas, Becka, Dane and Mark Stevenson, other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Eugene was held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael's. Father Edwin Kornath and Father Donald Schmidt concelebrated and burial, with military honor rites, followed in the parish cemetery.
The Schmidt family greeted relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum was entrusted with Eugene's arrangements.
Eugene's family extends their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Renee Jahnke, Dr. Affi, Dr. Sahajpal, Janet RN at St. Luke's, Dr. Marc Catalano, Dr. Jella and staff, the Aurora Medical Center staff in Hartford and VNA Hospice for the care provided to Eugene. Your tender and compassion care for him touched us more than you will ever know.