Alberta Berniece Schumitsch went home to our Lord on Wednesday, July 4, at the age of 95.
Berniece was born on January 26, 1923, to the late Stanley and Grace Follansbee. She was raised in Rock Elm, Wisconsin and graduated from Spring Valley High School. She attended college at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, and it was there that she met her husband, Bernard “Ben”. They were united in marriage on September 28, 1943, at the home of her parents and shared a loving marriage for 62 years. He preceded her in death on October 13, 2005.
Berniece was an elementary school teacher, the last 19 years of her career in Wittenberg, retiring in 1985.
She enjoyed camping and traveling with her family and dog, Mitzie, in their various campers and motorhomes. Berniece was a dedicated Milwaukee Brewer, Green Bay Packer, Wisconsin Badger, and Antigo Red Robin sports fan and rarely missed any of her grandchildren’s events. She made great cookies, especially chocolate chip. She canned, did crochet, needlepoint, and sewed many things for her children and grandchildren.
She was active in a homemakers club, the Langlade Hospital Auxiliary, and the Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post # 3 – Auxiliary. She was a member of St. John Catholic Church, Antigo.
Survivors include her four children, Nancy (Al) Wojtasiak of Hartford, Richard (Helen) Schumitsch of Merrill, Karen (Larry “Buster”) Knuth of Sun Prairie, and Corinne “Bobo” (Mike) Wolter of Antigo;
12 grandchildren, Laurie (Doug) Jensen, David (Meredith) Schumitsch, Matthew (Dawn) Schumitsch, Allen (Cheryl) Wojtasiak, Lisa (Gary) Gauger, Richard (special friend Sue) Wojtasiak, Randy (Lindsay) Wojtasiak, Nicholas (Jessica) Wolter, Kristen (Brian) Mattmiller, Michael (fiance’ Britta) Wolter, and Matthew (special friend Maggie) Wolter; 23 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren;
a sister, Corinne Falley of Mission, Texas; two sisters in law, Florence Schumitsch, Antigo, Delores Wiseman of Appleton; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Wanda Follansbee and Hope Gunderson; a brother, Jack Follansbee; four sisters in law, Virginia Webb, Alice (Leon) Kretz, Mary (Emil) Rogatzki, Dorothy (John) Rieland; a brother in law, Lester Schumitsch; a granddaughter, Dawn Wojtasiak; and a daughter in law, Mary “Kitty” Schumitsch.
Berniece will be remembered for her open heart and very loving ways. She was truly loved by many and will be sincerely missed.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Rosalia Gardens Memory Care Unit for their gentle treatment and exceptional care of our dear mother.
The funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, July 9, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Entombment will take place at Queen of Peace Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home and on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. A parish wake service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday also at the funeral home.