Constance Schmieder

Holding the hands of her two daughters, Constance M. Schmieder, age 95, passed away at Terrace Place in Sheboygan Sunday, December 12, 2021.

Connie was born to Percy Longfellow and Crescentia (Sauer) Scribner on October 4, 1926. Along with her younger sister Jean (Harff) the two girls lead an idyllic childhood in their home on Clifton Avenue. Connie grew up attending Holy Name Catholic Church and School, graduating from Sheboygan North High School in 1945. She continued her education at Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan, before returning permanently to Sheboygan.

During the war years, Connie had many beaus that she corresponded with but she fell in love with the handsome Jim Schmieder, newly returned from service in Europe. She chose him as her life partner, and the two married at Holy Name on September 3, 1949. There followed four girls, Lynda (Dennis Eirich) and Cindy (Jim Van Akkeren). Daughters Katherine and Christine both died before reaching one year of age.

Throughout her life, Connie took great pride in her appearance, wanting to always look her best. In the early years of their marriage, and like a TV episode of the old “I Love Lucy” show, Connie would charge a dress, or two, or three at Pranges or Friede’s and then wait for the certain confrontation with Jim on the spending. In the end she always kept the dress.

In 1967 Connie joined the throngs of Sheboygan County women who were hoping to be cast as movie extras in the movie “Winning” filmed at Road America. With dreams of meeting Paul Newman, Connie, perhaps prematurely, went out and purchased two velvet arm chairs that she had long admired with plans to pay for them with her “winnings”. As it turned out she wasn’t selected as an extra and still needing to pay for the two chairs, she took a job at Ellingers Agatized Wood where she worked until retiring in 1986.

Summer family vacations were spent on the Chippewa Flowage where Connie would captain the “Snoopy C”. Cigarette in hand, wearing a sailor cap and glamorous sunglasses, Connie would spin her girls on waterskis behind the boat, cocktail flag flapping merrily at the bow. As the years passed the cabin was replaced with a motorhome and family trips took them across the U.S. on new adventures. Following retirement she and Jim settled in at a permanent campsite near Montello where Connie delighted in her favorite activity, meeting and making new friends. While Jim was more of a quiet soul, Connie was in her element conducting long conversations with friends that started in the morning and didn’t end until it was time to turn in for the night.

Over the years they continued to travel with Lynda and Dennis, making many trips to Door County where they enjoyed sightseeing, dining, and shopping. Connie was able to make one last trip to Door County with Lynda this past summer, enjoying as much as she could despite limited mobility and vision. She always looked forward to the next trip and couldn’t wait to go back.

In 2018 Jim and Connie sold their house on Wilson Avenue, moving to apartment living at Terrace Place. With the help of Sharon Richardson Hospice, Jim helped care for Connie until he passed away in October of 2019. As this was the peak of the Covid pandemic, senior living facilities were in lockdown, yet Connie always retained her cheerful demeanor. She looked forward to daily phone calls from her girls and once everyone was vaccinated she was able to again enjoy visits from her grandchildren Hannah, Sam, and Bram Van Akkeren. Special days occurred when Lynda took her out for long car rides and wheelchair walks along the lake and riverfront, stopping along the way for an outdoor meal, beer, or ice cream.

During her last months of life Connie would often wonder what heaven was like and what Jim did with himself everyday. We would like to imagine them there together, cruising in their boat, traveling in their motorhome, laughing and enjoying a cocktail…or two.

Connie had been delighted that she was “asked” to “join that club called Sharon Richardson”, and they provide her and Jim with much love, care and companionship the past two years. The staff at Terrace Place also brightened each and every day with compassion and laughter. Thank you to all who looked after both mom and dad.

Memorials to Sharon Richardson Community Hospice would be appreciated.

The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Connie’s arrangements.