Obit: Schmidt, Avery L. (1927 - 2013)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bedroske, Grube, Gruhlke, Johnson, Keen, Krueger, Larson, Lipke, Schmidt, Temby, Uttecht,

----Source: The Abbotsford Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 06/19/2013

Schmidt, Avery L. (Johnson) (9 DEC 1927 - 17 JUN 2013)

Avery L. Schmidt, 85, Wittenberg, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg under the care of Asera Care Hospice.

She was born on December 9, 1927, in Racine, the daughter of the late Otto and Lillian (Lipke) Johnson.

On April 12, 1947, Avery was united in marriage to Donald F. Schmidt, Sr. at St. John Lutheran Church, Birnamwood. He preceded her in death on March 13, 1978.

Avery graduated from Horlick High School in Racine in 1945. In 1946, she moved to the township of Aniwa. After marriage, Avery and Donald took in foster children along with raising 12 children of their own. Avery managed the Abby Café in Abbotsford for a number of years and also worked as a cook at the Pioneer Assisted Living Center in Appleton. She then owned and operated the Colby Café and Catering, Country Fare in Merrill and the Station House in Dorchester.

After retirement, she was the Nutrition Coordinator for the Meals on Wheels program and was a foster grandparent in Abbotsford. Avery was a member of the VFW - Ladies Auxiliary in Colby and was a Gold Star Mother. She was a recent member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg.

In her younger years, she taught Sunday School and her and Donald were on many pool, dart, bowling and dart ball leagues. Avery was an avid sports fan; she especially enjoyed watching golf and the Milwaukee Brewers. She also enjoyed fishing, cooking, getting together with friends and family, crocheting, reading and playing games, cards and puzzles.

Avery’s passion was her family; she loved spending time with them and had a get together whenever she could.

Survivors include nine children, Darlene (Ronald) Uttecht, Birnamwood, Daniel (Nancy) Schmidt, Waukesha, Dean (Mary) Schmidt, Stratford, Dale (special friend, Cindy) Schmidt, Darien, Donell (David) Bedroske, Colby, Dianne (special friend, Ralph) Grube, Chetek, Darwin (special friend, Kelly) Schmidt, Westminster, Colo., Darla (Garry) Gruhlke, Edgar and Timothy Schmidt, Black River Falls; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Joyce (Harold) Krueger, Salem, SC, Carol (Ray) Keen, Appleton and Shirley (Don) Temby, Racine; and one sister-in-law, Arlene Lipke, Mauston. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a very special friend, Martin Burgess.

In addition to her parents and husband, Avery was preceded in death by three sons, David, Douglas and Donald, Jr.; one grandson, Joshua; three brothers, Virgil (Charlene) Lipke, Herbert Lipke, Victor (Ada) Lipke; one son-in-law, Randy Grube and one daughter-in-law, Ann Schmidt.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2013, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg Chapel. Rev. Michael Larson from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg will officiate. Visitation will be on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the chapel. Private inurnment will take place in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Aniwa on Monday, July 1, 2013.

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with arrangements. The family guestbook and condolences are available at schmidtschulta.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Avery’s name will be established at a later date.