Charlene Margaret Schmitt

Charlene M. Schmitt 64, Wausau, formerly of Athens, passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at Colonial Manor Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Wausau. She died following a courageous three year battle with cancer. She was born July 21, 1945 in Wausau, the daughter of Donald Kreft, Athens and the late Theresa (Weiler) Kreft. On September 14, 1968, she married Orlando Schmitt in Athens. He survives. Charlene worked at Marathon Cheese Corp., and went on to work as a certified nursing assistant at Colonial Manor, Wausau and later at Mount View Nursing Home, Wausau, for many years. She also worked at Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens as a devoted cleaner and worked on the farm in Athens with her husband, Orlando. Among her many interests, she enjoyed gardening, flowers, playing cards, bowling and most of all, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of the Athens area homemakers club. Survivors include, her husband, Orlando Schmitt, Wausau; two daughters, Michele (Michael) Koss, Weston and Jodie (Chad) Bacon, Wausau; six grandchildren, Taylor Harrison, Kassie and Michael Koss, Carnissa Schmitt, Miranda Margaret Bacon and Bronson Bacon; her father, Donald Kreft, Athens; one brother, Duane (Sherri) Kreft, Marathon; two sisters, Barbara (John) Adams, Merrill and Gail (Larry) Kretschmer, Athens; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Duane (Helen) Schmitt, Wausau, Nathlie (Marv) Venzke, Athens and Daryl Schmitt, Wausau; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends further survive. Besides her mother, she was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Sylvester and Linda Schmitt. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 7, 2009 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Very Reverend Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call Sunday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a prayer service at 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers of the Oncology Unit at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and the caregivers at Colonial Manor, for all the care and support given to Charlene and her family during her illness. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com