Donald W. Schmitt

Name: Visitation
Start: 03/06/2017 09:30 AM
End: 03/06/2017 11:00 AM
Location: Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service

June 20, 1922 — February 28, 2017

Donald W. Schmitt, 94, of Sheboygan, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice with his family and Pastor by his side.
Born June 20, 1922 at Plymouth Hospital, Donald was a son of the late Edwin Adolph and Myrna Esther Johnson Schmitt of New Holstein. He attended New Holstein area schools and graduated from New Holstein High School in 1940. He was then employed by the Hart Carter Lauson Division in New Holstein as a draftsman until 1943 when he entered the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corp in 1944 as a cryptographer in the western Pacific. After an honorable discharge, he returned to his studies and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. On September 23, 1950, he was united in marriage to Audrey Fay Wagner at West Valders Lutheran Church and lived in Sheboygan from that time forward. They were married for 47 years before Audrey preceded him in death on August 16, 1998.
Donald worked for the Kohler Company in the Engineering Department of the Engine Division and served in both professional and managerial capacities for 41 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He and Audrey were members of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church where Donald served as an Elder, Sunday School teacher and adult Bible Class teacher. He was also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and American Society of Agricultural Engineers. One of Donald's greatest joys was spending time at the family cottage on Lake Winnebego which he built from 1956 to 1961. He enjoyed fishing, boating, water skiing and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his five children, David (Debbie) Schmitt, Sheboygan, Dennis (Brenda) Schmitt, Covington, GA, James Schmitt, Sheboygan, Sandra Althen, Black River Falls, and Thomas (Mary Beth) Schmitt, Traverse City, MI; ten grandchildren, Daniel (Becky) Schmitt, Elkhart Lake, Diana (Matthew) Korkko, Sheboygan, Deette (Scott) Hodek, Manitowoc, Darcie (Dr. Ted) Schrubbe, Elm Grove, Benjamin Schmitt, Covington, GA, Neil Schmitt, Covington, GA, Jessica (Thomas) Samuel, Milwaukee, Eric Schmitt, Traverse City, MI and Kelsey (Taylor) Umstead, Traverse City, MI; fourteen great grandchildren, Sophie, Trevor, Lilia, Dylan, Brett, Logan, Colette, Arabelle, Andrew, Anthony, Maddy, Maxwell, T.J., and Liam; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Besides his parents and wife, Audrey, he was preceded in death by grandson, Joshua Schmiit, his son-in-law, Eugene Althen, and his sister, Dorothy (Phil) Mitchell.
Funeral services for Donald will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2017 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 1810 N. 13th Street, Sheboygan. The Rev. Alan Kretschmar will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will take place in Lutheran Cemetery.
Donations may be made in his name to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for all of their loving care and support and especially Joyce who provided home care.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Donald's arrangements.

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