John M. Schmidt

John M. Schmidt, age 76, of Wausau, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

John was born on December 22, 1949, the first child of Lawrence and Martha (Wiersma) Schmidt in Woodstock, Illinois. He moved with his family to Colby, Wisconsin when his family purchased a dairy farm in 1959. He graduated from Colby High School in 1968.

He attended school in Milwaukee for one year to be a repair technician and worked for Mittens Appliances until he was drafted for the Vietnam War in 1969. John joked that "this was the only lottery I ever won." He spent roughly one year overseas before returning home.

John was united in marriage to his soulmate, Beverly “Peachie” Peche on October 26, 1974, in Medford, Wisconsin. They started their family and resided in Colby while working the family farm.

In 1979, John and his family moved to Mondovi, Wisconsin where he worked as a technician for Tri-State Breeders. It was here he made lifelong friends while getting to know the farmers and the area which he would call home for the next 38 years.

After realizing his true calling, John started school in 1986 at UW-Eau Claire where he would receive a degree in Elementary Education. He graduated in 1990 and immediately started teaching at Mondovi Public School. He taught every grade from 1st through 7th. In addition, he team taught, coached, and while in middle school, taught science (his favorite subject). He would continue to teach there until his retirement in 2011.

After Bev's retirement, they moved to Wausau in 2017 to be closer to family. John spent these last years making new friends in Wausau, mostly at The Landing where he played ping pong, cribbage, and socialized with the other 55+ members.

John will be remembered for his many hobbies and interests. In addition to being a husband, father, grandfather, cousin, uncle, and friend, he was a veteran, bartender (known for his Old Fashions), ball player, bowler, fisherman, hunter, gardener, and guitarist. So many people had the privilege of hearing him play guitar, including his friends at The Landing and residents at local nursing homes. But his most favorite time was spent with his two young grandsons: eating chocolate-chocolate-chip muffins and reading countless books.

John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Beverly “Peachie” of Wausau; two children, Josh (Rebecca) Schmidt of West Allis and Jessica Schmidt of Wausau; and two beautiful grandsons, Oliver and Dylan. He is further survived by his siblings, Peggy Erickson of Medford, Susan (Peter) Jecevicus of Colby, Linda Geiger of Marshfield, Rocky (Bobbi) Schmidt of Phillips, Jeri (Bill) Schmidt of Abbotsford, Judy (Mark) Sebold of Phillips, and Carol (Dan) Beyer of Medford; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Leonard and Rosella Peche; niece, Amy Schmidt; and brother-in-law, Alan Peche.

He was good man.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau. A time to share stories and celebrate John’s life will take place at 4:00 p.m. followed by military honors accorded by the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post #10. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight (www.neverforgottenhonorflight.com)or Guitars 4 Vets (www.guitars4vets.org).