Mary L. Schmidt, 79 of Wittenberg, died unexpectedly on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Atrium Post Acute Care in Wisconsin Rapids.

She was born on January 3, 1939, the daughter of the late Raymond Koeller and Hazel Stickney of Wittenberg. On December 6, 1958, Mary was united in marriage to Vernon Schmidt at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wittenberg. They celebrated 55 years of marriage until he preceded her in death on September 7, 2014.

Mary was a class of 1957 graduate from Wittenberg High School. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wittenberg. She was a devoted wife and mother, and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary and her husband were dairy farmers, and together they enjoyed raising their 5 children, traveling, camping, and playing cards. For many years, Mary worked as a cook at the Wheel Inn Restaurant in Wittenberg. She was an amazing cook, and was also known for baking and decorating wedding and birthday cakes. Mary loved her many pets, and old time country music. She was especially fond of trains, stemming from her childhood memories of riding along with her father who was an engineer.

Mary is survived by her mother, Hazel Brown of Wittenberg; 5 children, Pam Schmidt of Plover, Mark Schmidt of Shepley, Daniel (Susan) Schmidt of Wittenberg, Karen (Mike) Van Dyn Hoven of Briarton and Patti Schmidt of Stevens Point; 6 grandchildren, Meghann Sweeney, Jennifer (Wade) Schram, Laura (David) Mindykowski, Nathan (Jamie) Van Dyn Hoven, and Jacob Van Dyn Hoven and Paige Diedrick; 9 great-grandchildren, Christian Sweeney, Tyler and Ashley Weller, Jacob and Kaylee Schram, David Mindykowski Jr., Blake and Tucker Van Dyn Hoven and Amelia Van Dyn Hoven; one brother, Ron (Kathryn) Koeller of WV; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her father; step-father, Don Brown; husband; one brother, Raymond Koeller Jr.; sister, Gail LaPorte; her foster parents, Erv and Ellen Klaves, and Joe and Louise Long; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul (Jean) Schoessow, La Vaune Schmidt, Armin Schmidt and one niece, Anne Pruess.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 19, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg. Rev. Matthew Christians will officiate. Inurnment will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 2800 Royal Ave. Suite 207, Monona, WI 53713