Dennis A. “Corn Man” Schmandt, 73, and Sally M. Schmandt, 71, of Shawano, formerly of the town of Dupont, Waupaca County, passed away Tuesday morning, June 17, 2014, from injuries received in an auto accident in the town of Richmond, Shawano County.
Dennis was born on July 13, 1940, in the town of Dupont as the son of the late Avery and Irene (Schoenrock) Schmandt. Sally was born in Aurora, Illinois, on Nov. 11, 1942, as the daughter of the late Albert and Salma (Hokenson) Ecklund. Dennis grew up in Dupont and Sally grew up in Waupaca, where she had moved as a small child with her family from Illinois.
The couple were united in marriage on June 13, 1960, in Menominee County, Michigan. After marriage they farmed Dennis’ family farm in Dupont while he also worked for AgVenture Seed Company and was an oil salesman for Cen-Pe-Co Oil. Dennis served with the Dupont Volunteer Fire Department for 42 years and was retiring next month. Sally worked mainly as a homemaker but also worked at various businesses around the area for many years. They were members of Zion Lutheran Church in Embarrass.
The couple enjoyed traveling to Jamaica and Hawaii, and took multiple fishing trips to Canada. Dennis and Sally were big fans of the Green Bay Packers and enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family and friends. Sally enjoyed crafts and, as her family joked, usually had her hands full with some of Dennis’ antics. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved being around them. Dennis enjoyed telling the occasional joke, breeding his Chocolate Labradors, fishing and deer hunting.
The couple moved to Shawano earlier this month. They were partners in this life, and it is comforting to know they will walk hand in hand through the gates of Heaven.
Survivors include their children, Dale (Debbie) Schmandt and Shelly (Steve) Raab, all of Clintonville; grandchildren, Ryan (Erin) Schmandt and their son, Porter, Nicole Schmandt and her son, Kingston, Aaron (Lindsey) Schmandt and their son, Nyles, Katie (fiance Jake Liebzeit) Barkow, Amy (Kyle Thomas) Barkow, and Austin and Briana Schmandt; Sally’s siblings, Beverly (Jack) Waterfield, Eileen (Tom) Schultz, Claire Watgen, Leroy (Lana) Ecklund and Gary (Pat) Ecklund; Sally’s sister-in-law, Patty Ecklund; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The couple were preceded in death by their parents; a son, Lonnie; Dennis’ sister, in infancy; and Sally’s siblings, Larry, Dan and Bart Ecklund; and Virginia Lindenmeyer.
A combined memorial service will be held Saturday, June 21, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Embarrass with the Rev. Todd Jerabek officiating. Inurnment will be at the Big Falls Cemetery, Big Falls. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting their family with the arrangements.
An online guestbook can be found for them at www.eberhardtstevenson.com.
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