Karl, W. Schmidt, 60, of Freedom, WI, died Sunday, September 2, 2012, while helping a ten year old boy who got too far out in Lake Michigan. The boy was saved, but the riptide got a hold of Karl and he couldn't get back in. By the time CPR was performed, Karl was already in heaven, safe in the arms of Jesus. Born December 12, 1951, in Milwaukee, WI, Karl was a son of Anna and William Schmidt. Karl attended Concordia High School, Milwaukee, graduating in 1970. He attended Concordia College in Milwaukee for two years and then completed his bachelor's degree at Concordia College in Seward, NE, graduating in 1973. He received his Master's Degree in Education from Concordia College, River Forest IL., in 1977. On June 16, 1973, he was united in marriage to Frances Anne Campbell from Clintonville, WI. Frances was a Lutheran school teacher too and served along with her husband Karl. Karl was employed as a Lutheran school teacher from January 1974 until his retirement in January 2010. Karl taught school at St. Paul Lutheran, Whittemore, IA, Christ Lutheran, Peoria, IL, Immanuel Lutheran, Marshfield, WI, Cross Lutheran, Omaha, NE, Calvary Lutheran, Richfield, MN, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Elgin, IL and Emmaus Lutheran in Milwaukee, IL. He served as a Lutheran school principal in Marshfield, WI, Richfield, MN and Elgin, IL. He loved what he did and felt honored to be touching lives for God's Kingdom forever. Following retirement Karl and Frances moved to Freedom, WI and Karl was employed as a bus driver for Lamers Bus Company in Menasha, WI. Karl's favorite verse is 1John 4:4: "Greater is He that is in me then He that is in the world," referring to Jesus, the author and perfector of Karl's Life. Karl was a strong proponent of Christian Education and was very patriotic. Karl was a member of Celebration Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI. Karl and Frances enjoyed visiting all 50 states during their summers off as teachers. They also spent many happy hours with their sons and other family and friends camping, touring or watching the Packers play. His all time favorite activity, however, involved serving God with his hands, or voice, whether it is done in a church, school or outdoors. He is survived by his wife Frances of Freedom, WI; two sons, Jason Arthur (Christine) Schmidt and their sons, Noah James and Zachary William all of Appleton; and Andrew Donald (fiancée Sue Alsteen) Schmidt and their children, Sydney, Aiden and Emilly, all of Green Bay. He is further survived by seven brothers and sisters; Carol Golisch, Sun Praire, WI, Ralph Schmidt, Shawano, WI, Darlene Paulson, Larson, WI, Merlin Schmidt, Richfield, WI, Ellen Vieaux, Horicon, WI, Gordon Schmidt, Wind Lake, WI, Howard Schmidt, Fond du Lac, WI; his mother Anna Schmidt, Mayville, WI He was preceded in death by his father William. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 8, 2012, at the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1810 N. 13th St., with the Rev. Alan Kretschmar, pastor, officiating. The committal service will be held immediately following the service at Lutheran Cemetery. Relatives and friends are welcome at the Church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. If you would like to honor Karl, please remember to show your love in word and deed daily, to help someone out as soon as they are in need, to accept help when someone offers it, and to love God. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name for St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran School, Sheboygan. Karl loved teaching and he would want to support Christian education.
