June 12, 2023 – Washington Co., WI – Daniel J. Schmidt, age 88, of Hubertus, WI, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2023, at Froedert Menomonee Falls Hospital.
He was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on March 29, 1935 – the 14th of 15 children – to the late Joseph and Thedora (Esser) Schmidt.
Daniel was a veteran of the US National Guard and served from 1953 to 1958. He later became a highly skilled carpenter, operating Dan Schmidt Carpentry Inc. in the suburban Milwaukee area for more than 30 years. He retired in 1999.
He loved to spend with his family and was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. Daniel was a devout Catholic and member of St. Hubert and St. Gabriel parishes in Hubertus for more than 66 years.
Daniel married Chrisanthia Hesprich on June 27, 1953, they settled in Hubertus, and raised seven children together. Daniel often said he was blessed with two angels during his life. On Sept. 19, 2009, he married Helen (Hennes) Otzelberger. They shared more than 13 years of happiness together.
Daniel was preceded in death by his first wife, Chrisanthia; infant son, Joseph; his parents; nine sisters Christine, Dorothy, Margaret, Dolores, Bernice, Ruth, Mary Jean, Joan and Helen, and five brothers: Joseph Jr., Benedict, Clarence, Eugene, and infant Ralph.
He is survived by his second wife, Helen Otzelberger Schmidt; seven children, Roger (Patty) Schmidt of Eau Claire, Bonnie (Andy) Schoofs of Hartford, Anthony (Kathleen) Schmidt of Slinger, Julie (Tim) Fronsee of Odessa, Fla., Kenneth (Sue) Schmidt of Slinger, Daniel E. Schmidt of Iola, and Donna (Scott) Chappell of Ridgeway.
He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Robert (Brooke) Schmidt, Scott Schmidt, James (Alesha) Schmidt; Andrea (Joe) Meyer, Martin (Cassandra) Schoofs, Aaron (Christy) Schoofs; Jennifer Schmidt, Katie Schmidt; Corinne (Brian) Switala, Rebecca (Prescott) Coe; Alea Schmidt and Tamika Smith; Taylor Schmidt and Emily Schubert; Tyler Chappell and Dylan Chappell; 12 great-grandchildren: Isabelle, Addison, Brennan and Colton Schmidt; Nathaniel and Kateri Meyer; Matthias and Brielle Schoofs; and Isabella and Brooklyn Switala; Lenina Coe; Raven Washington; other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Parish, 1200 St. Gabriel Way, Hubertus, WI 53033, with Rev. Michael Malucha officiating. Family will greet relatives and friends at the church from 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Inurnment, Friday, July 7, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church Cemetery, Rubicon, WI with Rev. Timothy Bickel officiating.
