James Joseph Schmidt, age 77, of Amery, Wisconsin died peacefully at Golden Age Manor on September 27, 2013.

Jim was born on July 27, 1936 in Park Falls, WI to John and Anna (Fenzl) Schmidt, the youngest of 11 children. He attended St. Anthony DePadua Catholic School in Park Falls through 8th grade, and went on to Lincoln High School in Park Falls where he played football and basketball, graduating in 1954.

Jim served in the US Air Force from 1954 – 1962, and was stationed in New Foundland, Canada for much of his first four years of service. While in the reserves, he attended college at the University of Wisconsin¬-Superior, earning a bachelor's degree in education, and later a master's degree in school administration.

On September 12, 1959, Jim was united in marriage to Sharon Ann Kotke at St. Anthony DePadua Catholic Church in Park Falls, WI. In 1962, Jim and Sharon moved to Amery, WI where they started a family and Jim began his career in the Amery School District. Jim taught 5th and 6th grade with his specialty being math, and he kept busy in the summers painting area homes.

In his younger years he enjoyed coaching little league baseball, playing tennis, bowling, hunting and playing cards. He was a dedicated Badger and Packer fan, and enjoyed watching all types of sports. Jim was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery, where he served on the parish council, and was a lead usher/greeter who made everyone feel welcome.

After 33 years of teaching, Jim retired in 1995. He went on to spend time volunteering, enjoying time with his grandchildren, and caring for his beloved wife Sharon.

Jim volunteered at church, Golden Age Manor, and Amery Schools. He especially enjoyed helping with the annual 5th grade Wapo Camp trip, an environmental education program which he was instrumental in establishing in 1988. He continued to fundraise and teach at the camp during his retirement until he was no longer able.

Jim spent the last three months of his life at Golden Age Manor, where the many visits from friends and family, and the wonderful hospice team, brought him much joy and peace.

Jim had a profound effect on those who knew him, whether they had taught with him for 30 years, or were his caregivers during the last weeks of his life. He was incredibly kind and caring, giving to others at every opportunity. His charm, sense of humor, and incredible generosity will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jim is survived by sons Tom (Shirley) of Dresser, WI; David (Robin) of New Richmond, WI and their children Bobbi (Tim) of New Richmond, WI and Mandy (Jestin) of St. Croix Falls, WI; Steve (Becky) of Amery, WI and their children Eric, Abigail and Ella; Mike (Tracy) of Coon Rapids, MN; great-grandchildren Tristen, Jordan, Talen, Joelle, Taren and Jace; brother Donald (Johnni) of Dayton, OH; sisters-in-law Geri of Park Falls, WI; Ann "Click" of Sumter, SC; Mary Carol of Lombard, IL; Joanne of Medford, WI; Ann of Hayward, WI and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife Sharon; sisters and brother-in-laws Marion (Willard) Newell, Rose Marie (Quentin) Hoth, Angeline (Richard) LaRose and Margaret (John) Rybak; and brothers Richard, Gerald, John, Lawrence and Robert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery, WI.

A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, October 1 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday. Interment will follow the service at the Amery Cemetery.

The family asks that memorial offerings be made in lieu of flowers. Memorials given in Jim's name will be donated to help fund the Amery Schools annual 5th grade Camp Wapo environmental education trip, with an emphasis on helping students who cannot afford the camp fee.

The following was prepared by Jim's family and delivered at his funeral service by Gary Hoff, the husband of Jim's niece Susan Schmidt.

First, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who visited, cared for, and prayed for Jim during the final stage of his life. Jim had several caregivers at Golden Age Manor that he considered his favorites and we truly appreciate your efforts to visit and care for him, often above and beyond your normal work duties. A special thanks to the social workers, nurses, and aides from St. Croix Hospice that cared for Jim both physically and emotionally during his final weeks. You all were a tremendous help to both Jim and us during a very difficult time.

We would also like to thank Father John Drummy for rushing to Jim's bedside to administer last rights and holy communion to him during his final conscious hours.

Jim was a caring and generous man who had a profound effect on those around him, regardless of whether they knew him for many years, or merely a few weeks at the end of his life. The level of emotion and love for Jim that has been expressed to our family has been absolutely amazing and truly touching.

Several words come to mind when attempting to describe just how wonderful Jim was. These words take on a whole new meaning when applied to him and he truly lived up to them through his actions.

Caring: (pause) Taking a young teacher under his wing as she starts her teaching career. (pause) Listening to and offering advice to a young person about career choices and relationships. (pause) Rushing to the aid of a dear family friend when she called upon him during her struggles with health problems near the end of her life.

Friendly: (pause) Welcoming and befriending a family at church with a special needs child when others were afraid to approach them. (pause) Visiting residents at Golden Age Manor both during and after his wife Sharon's stay there, specifically seeking out those who did not get visitors.

Generous: (pause) Purchasing a plane ticket for the sister of a loved one so she could attend a family funeral. (pause) Volunteering for the 5th grade Environmental Camp during his retirement years until his pulmonary condition prevented him from continuing. (pause) Giving his son's mother- in-law a generous gift to help her with medical bills during a time of need.

Loving: (pause) Welcoming his daughters-in-law into the family and making them feel as though they were his own. (pause) Religiously visiting and caring for his wife Sharon at Golden Age Manor during her long illness that preceded her death.

Sweet: (pause) Attending a Grandparent's day at school with a neighbor girl that did not have a grandparent available for her to bring. (pause) Helping his sisters-in-law with a gift to defray the cost of a cross-country trip to visit several distant relatives.

Courageous: (pause) Standing up for his teaching principles when challenged by others and protecting those around him that were not able to. (pause) Always hiding his condition and fighting through it so it would not cause concern by others or get in the way of his focus on caring for their needs instead of his own.

Our family already knew that Jim was all of these things to us. We had no idea he was all of these things to so many others until the past few days when many of these stories were shared with us. We are truly honored to hear the stories and see the expressions of emotion that show us just how much Jim meant to so many of you. We thank all of you for being here today to celebrate Jim's life and we ask that you pray for Jim's entrance into Heaven.