Wayne Schmidt
Wayne Robert Frederick Schmidt, age 72, was born to Alice and Martin Schmidt in Bloomington, Wis., on May 28, 1951. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1969, then earned an associate degree in business in La Crosse, Wis.
Wayne moved to Florida and owned and operated a John Deere implement dealership until diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s forced his retirement. Wayne continued to reside in Florida until January 2020, when he moved to Elkader Care Center in Elkader, where he happily resided until his death on Dec. 12, 2023, at peace and surrounded by love.
Wayne loved his family, friends, children, warm weather, the beach, horses and his pet dogs. He enjoyed country music, sports (especially the Green Bay Packers), Gatorade and joking with family and staff at Elkader Care Center, which he treasured as home. His faith was very important to him and he often prayed the rosary and created rosaries for mission use.
Wayne is survived by his siblings: Roger (wife Deborah), Elkader; Judy (husband Terry Stewart), Dubuque; Gary (wife Deb), Mt. Hope, Wis.; Ron (wife Deanne), Potosi, Wis.; Christine, Cuba City, Wis.; and Mark (wife Ellie), Bloomington, Wis.; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; his Aunt Betty D’Agnolo, Rockford, Ill.; many cousins; and his ex-wife and best friend Jean Larson, Minneapolis, Minn.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Alice Schmidt, his brother Frank, infant brother Donald and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A mass of remembrance and celebration of life will be held in Wisconsin in the spring. Wayne’s family thanks the staff at Elkader Care Center for their kind care of Wayne and for their friendship to him, and he considered them also as family. Memorials in Wayne’s honor can be given to your favorite charity. Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family. You can leave comments on their website at graufuneralhomes.com/2023/12/wayne-robert-fred-schmidt-elkader-iowa-december-12-2023/.
