Barbara Faye Schmidt

Barbara Faye Schmidt, 90, of Shawano, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Barbara was born in Shawano on Oct. 21, 1930, to the late Walter and Winifred (Shultz) Prickett. Barbara lived in Shawano County most of her life and was raised by her grandparents, Osborn and Ida Shultz. On Feb. 19, 1952, Barbara was united in marriage to Robert Schmidt in Gulfport, Mississippi, where Robert was serving in the United States Air Force.

Upon Robert’s honorable discharge, Barbara and her husband returned to Cecil, where they became partners in the Cecil-Green Valley Toll Company. In 1969, Robert and Barbara purchased the company and renamed it the Lakeshore Telephone Company, where Barbara served as vice president until her retirement in 1989.

Barb loved to sing and sang her way through grade school and high school, civic meetings, club meetings and church events. Music filled her life and was an important part of who she was. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano where she was a member of the choir and held the position of director, as well as serving as chairperson of the worship committee.

She also held many positions in organizations in the Shawano community, including serving as president of United Way, president of the chamber, county board supervisor, vice president of Economic Development Group of Shawano County, co-founder and board member of the Shawano Area Community Foundation, board of directors of the National Telephone Co-op Association and board of directors at M&I Bank.

In 1987, Barbara was named Businesswoman of the Year, and in 2007, the Shawano Chamber of Commerce named her Citizen of the Year.

First and foremost, she loved her family. Her husband, family and friends were the dearest treasures of her life, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Robert; children, Jeff Schmidt, Judy (Robert) Costello, Julie Schmidt and Jason (Debi) Schmidt; step-granddaughters, Emily (fiancé Geoff Nevala) Piantek and Hannah (Greg) Leifel; grandchildren, Chad (Katie Lloyd) Schmidt and Chad’s daughter, Macy, and Amanda (Joe) Derenne and their children, Brady and Bailey; half-siblings, Tom (Mary) Prickett, Jeff (Mary) Prickett, Roger (Karen) Prickett, Sandy (Tim) Homp and Lana Prickett; and half-sister-in-law, Geraldine Prickett. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Walter “Bud” (Lorraine) Shultz; half-brother, Douglas Prickett; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Enid and Hamp Pullis; and her grandparents.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials can be directed to Shawano Area Matthew 25 in Shawano.

www.swedbergfuneralhome.com