Kenneth F. Schmidt

Kenneth F. "Butch" Schmidt After a courageous battle with cancer, Kenneth Schmidt, 58, died peacefully at home with his wife at his side Thursday, September 1, 2005. He was born February 13, 1947 in Wausau, son of Kenneth E. Schmidt, Wausau and the late Mary Ann (Frank) Schmidt. Ken graduated from Newman High School. He continued his education going to North Central Technical College, Wausau receiving a degree in Welding in June 1967. On June 8, 1968, he married his high school sweetheart Diane Peters. She survives. Butch touched the lives of so many through good times and bad. If there is one thing he taught us, is never to take anything you have for granted and work for what you want. If one was to follow the events in his life they all fit in and made him the man he was and will always be. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, teacher and someone who was loved by all. Most of all he was a fighter. Butch fought hard for everything he ever wanted or believed in and worked twice as hard to get it. For the past 2 1/2 years, he fought the battle of his life, cancer. He gave it everything he could but it was a battle he just couldn't win. He tried hard for the sake of his family and friends as he didn't want to let anyone down. Butch loved life, family and friends. The other love in his life was the Wisconsin River, where he spent countless hours logging, trapping or just sitting on the shore watching "His River Flow". Butch was an exceptional weldor, who loved his trade and used his talents to the fullest, while working at Drott/J.I. Case Companies for 24 years. He shared his welding expertise with numerous young men and women while working at North Central Technical College for 29 years as a welding instructor and was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons Forest Lodge #130, Wausau. Butch had many places to go, people to see and things to do. During his life he trapped and logged the Wisconsin River, made Christmas wreaths, had his own sawmill, cooked maple syrup, hunted, fished, played his guitar, gardened and enjoyed riding his Virago. His greatest joy in life was being with his family. He found nothing more special than teaching his children and grandchildren lessons in life. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his grandson, Roman Alexander, in September. Butch loved life, laughed often and always said "No one has it better than me". Besides his wife, Diane Schmidt, Wausau and father, Kenneth E. Schmidt, Wausau, survivors include his children, Lisa (Doug) Sherfinski, Wausau and Debbie (Mike Omernik) Krautkramer, Little Chicago and Shane (Cori) Schmidt, Herndon, Virginia; ten grandchildren, Jacob, Jonathan, Travis, Tanner, Austin and yet to arrive Roman Alexander, Casey Marie, Samantha Jo, Sabrina, Alexia and Madisyn; two sisters, Connie (Steve) Zick, Wausau and Tammie (George) Havlovic, Irma; sister-in-law, Carol Quimby, Milwaukee; nieces, Tiffanie (Ben) Wright and Nicole Quimby, nephews, Nick and Ben Lewitzke and Eric Quimby, loving and caring friends, Elsa Langhoff, Lon (Lucy) Hoerter, Jerry (Karen) Klatt, Roger (Beverly) Goetsch, Tom (Linda) Hackbarth and Tommy Hackbarth, Jim Celba, Diane (Francis) Ceranske, Paul Bollmann, constant companions , his golden retrievers, Buddy and Amos and his cat, Tigger Roo. Besides his mother, he was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth Schmidt, in-laws, Edward and Jean Peters and close friend, Jim Bean. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wausau. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again from 10:00 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church. There will be a Masonic memorial service Tuesday evening at the Sixth Street funeral home conducted by the Free & Accepted Masons Forest Lodge #130, Wausau. Special thanks to Dr. Steve Sorscher and his staff at the Oncology Department, Marshfield Clinic, Dr. Michael Dix, `and the Hospice Care Givers from Aspirus Wausau Hospital for all their loving care during his illness. Also a special thanks to all others that helped the family in any way. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com