Joseph Nicholas Schmitz

Joseph N. Schmitz of Bear Valley/Sauk City, age 96, died on April 29, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife and partner of 71 plus years, Catherine (Lehner) Schmitz. He is further survived by children John (Jean Tretow-) Schmitz of Madison, Mary (Dan’s widow) Schmitz of Marshfield, David (Kathleen) Schmitz of Dodgeville, Mike (Cynthia) Schmitz of Oconomowoc, and Larry (Roseanne Drake-) Schmitz of Madison, 13 grandchildren Peter Schmitz, Maria (David) Gohdes, Nathan (Cassy) Schmitz, Megan (Sean) Fanning, Anica (Josh) Taggatz, Ben (Kari) Schmitz, Andrew Schmitz, Caleb (Monica) Schmitz, Leah (Mihai Gurau) Schmitz, Jenny Schmitz, Josh Schmitz, Erin Schmitz, and Mariya Schmitz; and 17 great grandchildren; 9 godchildren; 32 Schmitz/Lins nieces & nephews; sister-in-law Lindy Schmitz, a flock of Schmitz, Bissen, Dederich & Lehner relatives, many friends, neighbors, and a number of milk cans. A life-long, faith-filled and committed Catholic Christian, he was born 12/16/1927 to Peter and Anna (Bissen) Schmitz. He is the last of his immediate family, and is now reunited with his parents, 9 siblings Gregory, Eva, Gertrude Bindl, Zita Nachreiner, Leonard, Rita Marklein, Francis, Anna Marie Ring and Erwin, in-laws Alois & Catherine Lehner, and his son Dan. Dad was a strong, quiet man of deep faith. God, Mom, and his family were the most important things in his life. He was committed to working and praying hard, giving blood and serving others. He had a high tolerance for pain and the antics of his 5 sons. He treasured time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, including watching them swing under the 200-year-old oak in the backyard of his Bear Valley home. Dad attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Keyesville and Lone Rock High School. With brothers Francis and Erwin, he owned and operated Schmitz Bear Valley Cheese Factory and Chimney Rock Farm. A powerful young man, he was an excellent boxer, enjoyed playing softball, and was known to be able to carry four full milk cans at a time. We marveled that as a high school student, the principal trusted Dad enough to lend him his own car to drive a load of forensic students to Madison and back. Thank you everyone for your loving support of Dad over the years. We especially appreciate the care of Maplewood Village, St. Croix Hospice, Fr. Nathan and Fr. Miguel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 3nd at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary’s) Catholic Church in Keyesville, WI with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. Visitation will also be held at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center on Thursday, May 2nd from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Kilian’s Cemetery Association, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary’s) Catholic Church in Keyesville or the Bear Valley Fire Dept. .

Joseph Nicholas Schmitz

December 16, 1927 - April 29, 2024