Howard H. Schmidt, 90, Wittenberg, died on Monday, April 11, 2016 at Ministry St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston.
He was born on May 12, 1925 in Edgar, the son of the late Rev. Karl and Laura (Junge) Schmidt. Howard attended grades 1 through 8 in Strasbourg Saskatchewan, Canada and then moved to Merrill in 1939. Howard was drafted in the United States Army in 1944. He served in Germany during World War II in the Glider Infantry which was part of the 1st Allied Airborne Army that crossed the Rhine River near Wessel. He was awarded Glider Wings, Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. Howard was discharged in 1946. Upon discharge, Howard returned to graduate High school in Merrill. He then served in the Navy Reserve from 1947-1951.
On September 7, 1952, Howard was united in marriage to Lola Voigt in Hamburg, WI. She survives.
He then enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in the Weather Service in the United States, Greenland, Germany and Korea. He retired from the Air Force after 23 years of service. Howard graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point in 1975 and taught fourth and fifth grades at Sacred Heart School in Polonia for 11 years. Howard was active in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Wittenberg Lions. He was also a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg serving as past congregation president, the Bloecher-Johnson American Legion Post #502, Wittenberg and the Elderon Memorial Post #8068 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Howard was honored to take part in the Never Forgotten Honor flight and was also presented with the Quilt of Honor from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Survivors include his wife, Lola, Wittenberg; children, Steven H. Schmidt, Elderon, Carla (Jesse) Hanke, Wittenberg and Timothy J. Schmidt, Tigerton; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Randy) Jannusch, Alan (Kayla) Hanke, Carl (Melissa) Baron, Joshua Breitrick and Samual Schmidt; eight great-grandchildren, Kara, Makenna, Saul, Wyatt, Taya, Morgan, Owen and Annika and many other nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ruth Schmidt and Mae Muschinske and one brother, Roger Schmidt.
The memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg. Rev. Michael Larson will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion immediately following the service. Interment will be held at a later date at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9AM until the time of service at the church.
Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in Howard’s name.