Gladys Schmidt

Gladys I. “Glady” Schmidt, 103, of Chippewa Falls, died Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the Chippewa Manor Nursing Home, surrounded by her family and while under the care of St. Joseph’s Hospice.

Gladys was born August 16, 1914 in Lafayette township, Chippewa County at the Melville homestead to Ada (Melville) and Albert LeDuc. While having labor pains, Ada went out to collect a pan of blackberries so she could pay the doctor for delivering baby Gladys.

After Glady’s mother passed away due to the flu pandemic of 1920, Glady and her sister, Essie, were sent to live with relatives in Saxon, Wis. They moved back to the Chippewa Falls area as teenagers to help relatives living here.

Glady married a handsome butcher named Everett S. Schmidt who she met while babysitting for her sister Helen’s son, Buddy. Gladys and Everett were married on April 2, 1934 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls. And after living in Boyd and Flambeau for a short period of time they resettled back in Chippewa Falls, where Gladys raised their three children, Jo Ann, Jean, and Tom and made their home. Glady loved to entertain and her home was the place where children met to play. Friends and neighbors gathered and anyone who visited could expect a meal and her famous sugar cookies. While her children were in school, Glady worked at 9th Ward School and at Hillcrest Elementary School making hot lunches. She then worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as a nursing assistant for many years.

Gladys was a talented painter and was well known around the area for her art. She also volunteered her time at area nursing homes and at her church. She was an attentive listener, a great advice giver, a wonderful storyteller and lover of life. Glady loved taking care of people and even when she was sick or hurting wanted to make sure that everyone else was okay. She loved her family and her many friends with an indescribable boldness and passion and could easily be described as everyone’s mother or grandmother. She will also be remembered for her beautiful window box flower gardens that she tended to even after turning 100 years old.

She was a devoted lifelong member of Notre Dame Parish in Chippewa Falls; a member of the Notre Dame PCCW; a past member of the YMCA; and a member of the Catholic Woman’s Club. For her volunteerism and service, she received the “Gospel of Life” award from the Diocese of LaCrosse in 1998.

She is survived by her daughter, Jean (David) Hancock of Chippewa Falls; a son, Thomas (Kay Hagel) Schmidt of Fond du Lac; a son-in-law, Ray Lutz of Chippewa Falls; 15 grandchildren, Mike (Karen) Lutz, Jeff (Sue) Lutz, Pat (Loren) Lutz, Rick (Karen) Lutz, Laurie (Martin) Klomstad, Dave (Tamara) Hancock, Julie ( Jim Mosel) Hancock, Terry (John) Bowman, Susie (Jim) Kroll, Steve (Jean) Hancock, Katie (Todd) Borkowski, Krissy (Jim) Scoufis, Peter Schmidt, David (Yujun) Schmidt, and Jenny Schmidt; 44 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Everett on December 22, 1978; her daughter, JoAnn Lutz on January 8, 1979; a daughter-in-law, Judy Schmidt; three sisters, Della Boudreau, Helen Rogers and Esther “Essie” Gehweiler; and two brothers, Howard and Henry LeDuc.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 5 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Chippewa Falls with Fr. Jesse Burish officiating. Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and at Notre Dame Church an hour before the funeral mass. During the visitation Friday evening at the funeral chapel, the rosary will be recited at 4 p.m., and a prayer service led by Fr. Jesse Burish will conclude the evening at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be designated to Notre Dame Church; St. Joseph Hospice, or to the Chippewa Falls Downtown Flower Beautification Program, c/o Chippewa Falls Main Street.

Glady’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the nursing staff of St. Joseph Hospital ICU, the St. Joseph’s Hospice team, and to the Chippewa Manor staff for their kindness and love given to Glady and her family.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express condolences online.