John H. Schmitt, 101, a truly remarkable man, went to heaven at home surrounded by people who loved him, to join his wife and parents on Friday May 15, 2020. John was born in Lenox, Iowa on September 19,1918, the last of seven children born to Charles and Anna (Fabritz) Schmitt. Growing up in Lenox during the Great Depression, Dad learned the value of hard work. He said, “my parents did not have much money to give me, but they gave me something much more important. They taught me how to work.” And work he did. He had a special love for his Mother and after her death, he missed her every day. He learned the carpenter trade from his Dad and moved to Green Bay in 1940. Shortly after arriving in Green Bay, he went to Danceland and saw the prettiest girl in Green Bay in a beautiful red dress. He had just seen the love of his life, Laverne Rose Queoff, his Little Sweetheart. Dad always said, “she always was the prettiest girl and she still is.” He was smitten, as was she. Four months after they met, they were married at St. Mary’s of the Angels Catholic Church, where they remain members today. This began 70 wonderful years together. Ten months later, they were blessed with their first child, Joe. Over the next few years, they were blessed with four more children, Larry, Mary, Carol and Jim. Dad was completely devoted to his family. He was the best husband and father anyone could ever ask for. Dad was a great teacher. He taught us how to live, and for that his family will be forever grateful. He demonstrated kindness, generosity and positive values that his children have used throughout their lives. On February 8, 2011, God blessed the entire Schmitt family by allowing John and Laverne to celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary. John and Laverne’s love grew stronger as the years passed. Nothing was more important to him than his “sweetie.” When she passed in 2011, his life changed dramatically. But in typical Dad fashion, he did his best, and his best was better than most. Dad joined the U.S. Army in 1944. While in the service, he sent money home to Laverne and she saved enough so that when he was honorably discharged in 1945, he had enough money to buy a lot to build his first house. This is when all the things his Dad taught him came to bear. The war was over, people needed houses and Dad was just the guy for the job. That was the start. He sold homes as fast as he could build them. He went into business with Jerry Kubiak to form Kubiak-Schmitt Builders. They were one of the top builders in Green Bay until Jerry decided to go into the pool business and Dad went into land development. Dad developed much of Green Bay’s west side and that’s when Bill Femel contacted him about purchasing a piece of land in the town of Preble that consisted of hills and trees. That land turned out to be Dad’s crowning achievement in developing, Schmitt Park. Dad developed a sense of community in Schmitt Park with annual Fourth of July celebrations and donating land for the Schmitt Park pool, among many other things. It was a great place to live. He was also instrumental along with his good friend, Wencil Froelich, in the beginning stages of growth in the village of Bellevue. In addition to everything he did in Green Bay, Dad was also in the land business in Florida. Through his dealings there, he acquired his condominium in Satellite Beach. John and Laverne spent their winters there for 26 years. They really loved their time there and the family had many wonderful experiences, most notably walking with Dad on his five mile beach walks while begging him to turn around and eating Ma’s wonderful fresh fish meals. While Dad was accomplishing all of this, he also coached basketball and football at St Mary’s for 22 years. He had a tremendous influence on countless young men. He taught them more than sports. He taught them about life and how to be good young men. And talk about successful – we didn’t lose! When St. Mary’s showed up, the other team knew they were going to lose, they just didn’t know by how much. To this day, it is not uncommon for one of Dad’s children to be approached by someone he coached and told what a great man he is and what a wonderful role model he was in their life. People who played for him always said he was the best coach they ever played for. I always told Dad that out of all his accomplishments, I think what he did at St Mary’s was the most impressive. He said, “I really enjoyed it.” And numerous kids were the beneficiaries. I know there is a lot here, but this is actually the short version. He accomplished much more than this. If you think I am bragging about our Dad, you are right, I am. We are all so proud to be his children and feel truly blessed to have him for our Dad. He was loved and respected by everyone who was fortunate enough to get to know him, while the whole time showing character and humility that is rare in these times. Our Dad, John H. Schmitt, a truly remarkable man.
John is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary (Robert) Fuhr, Green Bay; Carol Ann Schmitt (Michael) Dickert, Brookfield; three sons, Joseph C. (Janet) Schmitt, Trophy Club, TX; Lawrence J. (Mary Alyce) Schmitt, Racine; James J. Schmitt, Green Bay; eight grandchildren, Ann Zimmer, Kyle Schmitt, Gregory Schmitt, John Schmitt, Michelle Thompson, Robert Fuhr, M. William Dickert, Scott John Robert Dickert; and nine great-grandchildren, David Zimmer, Mark Zimmer, Kelsey Schmitt, Ryan Schmitt, Isabella Schmitt, Abigail Schmitt, Matthew Thompson, Mary Lynn Thompson, Emily Fuhr.
John was preceded in death by by his parents, Charles and Anna Schmitt; his loving wife of 70 years, Laverne Schmitt; and all of his brothers and sisters.
Friends may call at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, with a prayer service to follow. A private Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church for the immediate family. Entombment will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.Prokowall.com. To join the family via live stream please go to: facebook.com Billy Dickert
Our Mother would call Dad “Honey Bun.” In the past few years, there have been many people who have helped Dad. All these people have been aptly named Team Honey Bun. The family would like to extend a special Thank You to all the members of Team Honey Bun. They are too numerous to mention all of them, but you all know who you are. THANK YOU! You made his life better and for that the family will be forever grateful. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Paul Schmitz for his knowledge, care and friendship that he has provided Dad over the last eight years. You have been a true blessing. We would also like to thank our Doctors/Friends from Mayo Clinic, Dr. Mary Jo Kasten, Dr. George Gura and Dr. Conrad Wilkowske. The Schmitt family have been very blessed to have you in our lives.