Raymond A. Schmid
Raymond Adolph Schmid, age 89, passed away on April 14, 2012, at Skaalen Nursing Home in Stoughton.
He was born May 8, 1922, in Verona, to Adolph and Freida (Wittwer) Schmid. While growing up on a farm outside of Verona, he attended a one-room school house. He graduated with honors from Verona High School in 1940, where he lettered in boxing and baseball, and enjoyed playing parts in school plays. Ray loved music and played locally in the “Schmid Band”, playing different stringed instruments with his favorite being the mandolin. He continued to work on the family farm before enlisting in the military. He served in the Army Air Corps and infantry from 1945 to 1946. He served both in the Philippines and Japan as the war came to a close and received various medals while serving honorably.
Ray married Agnes (Delores) Rolland and according to his brother Art, he “tumbled” when he first laid eyes on her. They were married on May 17, 1952 at the Zwingli United Church of Christ in Mt. Vernon. In 1963, he built a comfortable home in Verona for his family and showed himself as a dedicated and caring husband and father. Ray worked for Blaser and Kammer as a carpenter for 12 years and retired as a master carpenter from the UW-Madison carpenter shop in 1987. He loved fishing for muskies, deer hunting, and watching Packer and Badger games. He also enjoyed taking on many woodworking projects. Ray and Delores loved to travel together and watch their grand kids’ sporting and musical events. He was a member of the Zwingli and Salem United Church of Christ where he served on the church counsel. He also was a member of the American Legion and Howard S. Schmid VFW Post 8653 where he served as Quarter Master, Commander and Historian. With a quiet, yet loving personality, he cherished friendships and was always there to lend a helping hand when needed, and will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Delores; five children, David (Beverly), Cheryl (Gary) Syring, and Larry (Diane), all of Stoughton, Marilyn (Dan) Schmid- Larson, of Venice, Florida, and Brian (Amy), of Wildwood, Missouri; 11 beautiful grandchildren; three adorable great grandchildren; a sister, Pearl (Richard) Elver; two sister-in-laws, Justine (Robert, deceased) Schmid, and Gladys (Arthur, deceased) Schmid. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert, Arthur, and Howard; a sister, Evelyn Frederickson; and a grandson, Joey. After moving in 2008 to Vennevoll Retirement Community in Stoughton, Ray was admitted to Skaalen Nursing Home. Many thanks to the very capable staff at Skaalen for all the care and love they provided to both Ray and Delores.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 502 Mark Drive, Verona, with the Rev. Dr. Mark Yurs officiating and guest Pastor Jim Koza. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial to be at the Verona Cemetery following the service. Lunch will be served at the church following burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Skaalen Nursing Home, 400 N. Morris St., Stoughton, WI, 53589, and/ or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7818 Big Sky Dr., Suite 109, Madison, WI, 53719.
