Gerald “Jerry” P. Schmidt Sr., 89, Marinette, previously of Lee Lake, died Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Washington Square in Marinette. He was born Oct. 29, 1935, in Milwaukee to Frank Jr. and Gladys (Hartman) Schmidt. Jerry grew up in Milwaukee where he graduated from Boys Tech.
On Aug. 18, 1962, he married Carol Ott in Milwaukee. They lived in Kansas for two years during Jerry’s time serving in the U.S. Army. They returned to Milwaukee following his discharge where they started their family, and moved to Lee Lake in the late 1970s.
Jerry was a pattern maker by trade for the majority of his professional career. After retirement, he enjoyed working maintenance for Marinette and Menominee Waste Water Treatment, Visions of Northeast Wisconsin and REM.
Jerry was passionate about the lake and enjoyed membership for many years of Lee & Underwood Lake Conservation Club. In his free time, he could be found fishing or going for walks around the lake. While living at Washington Square, he enjoyed feeding the wildlife.
Survivors are his children, Elizabeth (Joe) Johnson, Menominee, Michigan, Catherine (Matt) Steffens, Oconto Falls, and Mary (Mike) Yashinsky, Spruce; eight grandchildren, Madelen (Cory) Jorgensen, Alison (Dylan) Caikowski and Lilly (Alex) Cormia; Matthew (Chelsey) Steffens, Emily (Thad) Marcheske and Isaac (Sierra) Steffens; Abigail (Tom) Ebenhoe and Alexis (Brad) Faucette; 12 great-grandchildren and one on the way; two very special granddogs, Daisy and Ellie; two sisters, Joyce (Jack) Spice and Mary Ann (Wayne) Brandonisio; two brothers, Robert (Roxy) Schmidt and Roger (Joan) Schmidt; sister-in-law, Nancy Schmidt; and other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Carol; son, Jerry Jr.; parents, Frank and Gladys; two brothers, Frank (Ruth) Schmidt III and Richard Schmidt; and sister, Betty Schmidt.
Visitation with the urn present will be held after 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls until the time of service. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Tom Pomeroy officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Klondike.
Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls is serving the Schmidt family.
The Schmidt family would like to thank Dr. Matthias Fuchs and his team, Dr. Tyler Manley and his team, Unity Palliative Care and Unity Hospice, the caregivers of Washington Square in Marinette, and the neighbors and friends at Lee Lake for all their care and concern shown Jerry and his family.
