Gene W. Schmit, 82, of Westwood Drive in Grafton died December 14, 2017 at his residence.
Gene was born and raised in Grafton. He attended St. Joseph’s Parish School. Later as a Grafton Black Hawk, Gene was involved in the drama and discussion clubs, baseball, basketball, and 6-man football. As the son of Michael and Sally Schmit, he learned the business of real estate and auctioneering. The father and son pair established M. J. Schmit and Son Realtors and Auctioneers and later renamed Gene W. Schmit, Realtor and Auctioneer following his father’s passing and Schmit’s Ballroom.
Gene danced his way to meeting his loving wife, Rosemary. Following the marriage in November of 1956, the couple raised their three boys, Randy, Rick, and Robb. Active in many community organizations and recognized by them all for his contributions, the proudest of all achievements was his family. Like his relationship with his father, Gene instilled the same business and ethical practices into his three sons who continued the tradition with their children. Gene was a modest man yet most prideful about his children and grandchildren. He frequented and supported their activities every chance he had.
Gene’s friendships were as much a blessing to others as they were to him. Please remember him as the modest, generous, and Christian man who enjoyed polka, softball, family, and his faith.
Gene is survived by his wife Rosemary (nee Rickinger), loving dad of the late Randy (Conny), Rick (JoAnn) and Robb (Stacy) Schmit; proud grandpa of Tyler (Katy), Matthew, Nick, Aaron (Alexandria), Andrew and Alyssa; further survived by great-grandchildren Sadie and Emmaline Jean, sisters Bette (the late Phil) Ott and JoAnn (Richard) Paulus, other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial 4:30PM Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Church, 1619 Washington St., Grafton. Visitation 1:30-4:15PM Monday prior to Mass AT CHURCH.
Memorials can be made to the Grafton Lions Club, Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.
POOLE FUNERAL HOME/Crematory, Port Washington assisting the family. Information and condolences available at www.poolefh.com or 262/284-4431.
My sincerest sympathies in the passing of Gene. A loving husband, Father and friend to many. I’m so sorry I was unable to attend devices today. Knowing all your children, eigher in high school or cheering on your grandchild, Tyler playing football with my step sons! Heaven gained another Angel thst will greatly be missed in Grafton.
On behalf of the Wilson and Sally Jones family, we send our sincere condolences to your family. Gene was well known and well respected in Grafton and his contributions will remain for years to come. I have many wonderful memories of attending family wedding receptions at Schmit’s Ballroom.
May God’s grace surround you during this time.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. Gene will be warmly remembered for his kindness. My parents were blessed with his help so very many years ago in purchasing their home. He treated them warmly as friends and always took moments to chat and catch up when seeing them. It was a honor to know this special man.
Our deepest sympathies to Rosemary and the entire family. We will always remember Gene as a kind and friendly man. He was a wonderful friend to my parents. He remembered my mother when others had forgotten her. He visited my Dad often and he very much looked forward to those visits. We just saw the obituary today, we are so sorry that we missed the funeral. Gene was a wonderful person.
Sincere condolences to the family. Mr. Schmit was certainly well loved and respected by the entire community.
So sorry to hear this. I will always remember seeing him in your office when I was signing my condo paperwork. He greeted me so friendly and i remember he was dressed quite sharply! Thoughts and prayers to your family.
I’m honored to have known Gene and the entire Schmit family. He will be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Schmit family.
My deepest sympathy to Rosemary and the entire Schmit family on the loss of a wonderful man. I will never forget Gene’s kindness when my Dad, (Gene Werner) a dear friend of his, passed away in 2001. He supported our family through everything and always had a smile and hug through the years. I’ve no doubt he and my Dad have already found a Burger King to have breakfast at and are catching up again. Rest in peace Gene.
My prayers are with the Schmit family Gene was good man ,always greeted me
at church with a pat on the back and hands shake Gene is in prayers.
I always enjoyed talking to Gene. Whether it was at a realtor function, or weekly Rotary meeting, I walked away feeling like the world would be a better place if we all acted more like Gene.
Dear Family of Gene! I really got to know Gene when he would come to NewPort
Shores for lunch on Fridays. As a fellow Lion(PW), he was always one to say hello
and I think of him as being a very’ humble ‘ person. God Bless your Family. Orv Frohx
Our thoughts and prayers to the entire Schmit family. Gene was a very respected man of this community and will be deeply missed by all.
Gene was a community icon and a good friend. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you, Rosemary, and with the whole Schmit family.
Our condolences to the Schmit family. We met Gene & his family when he & my husband, Jerry, played senior softball together. We befriended one of the nicest men we’ve ever know that year. I’m sad that we won’t be able to go to the services today, but our thoughts & prayers are with Rosemary & and all of the family. He will be missed by many, many people.
Dear Schmit Family. I wish to extend my sincere condolences to all of you at this difficult time. Gene was one of the kindest and happiest men I have ever known….his memory will live on in all those he left behind. I am not able to be at the funeral do to prior commitments, but please know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Condolences to the entire Schmitt family. Gene was a great family friend and a true citizen of Grafton, so involved in everything. My earliest memories at St. Joes was Gene at the auctions. Later on I realized all the other things he did. Even after my dad died Genes visits to my mom with communion made her day. Peace to you all.
Lori Sacho Andersen
Mr. Schmit was our neighbor and eventually our realtor when my childhood home was sold. He was always kind to us children, and my parents spoke highly of him. We grieve with you.
Kathy Noltze, Arizona
Sending love and light to the Schmidt family… Ozaukee County won’t be the same without him!
Lainey Studelska-Schinker
Gene was so wonderful. Our family extends their sincere condolences and prayers to Rosemary and family. His friend, my father Jim Boehnlein, passed away on the exact same day. I hope they are enjoying some polka music together in heaven.
I will always remember Gene was a man of integrity in his business dealings and he was well respected in the real estate world
Gene was such an AWESOME MAN. I never knew if he was going to call me slim or young lady. I just always felt like a slim young lady around him
My thoughts and prayers are with the Schmit family, especially during this difficult time.
I was privileged to know and work with Gene and always considered him a great role model.