Harold A. Schmitz

Harold A. Schmitz, 100, passed away peacefully at the Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on February 1, 2025. He was born October 12, 1924 in Taycheedah to Joseph and Mary (Knaus) Schmitz.

Upon graduation from Lowell P. Goodrich High School, Harold studied engineering while simultaneously living his “Life Long Dream” of becoming a farm owner/operator who he shared with the Love of his Life, Alice whom he married (Alice M. Langenfield) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on April 30, 1946. Harold later applied his mechanical engineering studies at Giddings and Lewis Machine Tool Company.

Harold and Alice were jointly active in the transition from the administrative form of county government to an elected form. Following a successful referendum, he and Alice were jointly involved in the election of the first County Executive. One of Harold and Alice’s contributions to the Town of Fond du Lac, was co-authoring a book on the history of the Town of Fond du Lac, The Way We Were 1800’s – The Way We Are. Harold also served on numerous Town of Fond du Lac and Fond du Lac County Governmental Advisory Committees.

He was a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner at Holy Family.

Harold is survived by two sons, Harold M. Schmitz, his former wife, Gretchen, and their daughter, Sloan Schmitz, James A. (Diane) Schmitz and their children, Jason (Paige) Schmitz and Natalie (John) Kollin; great grandson Ethan Schmitz; sisters Georgene Smet and Patricia (Clem) Mertens; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife Alice, his parents, four brothers Orville (Helen), Claude, Norman (Anna Mae), and Ernest; five sisters Edna (Leo) Michels, Mary Agnes (Alex) Emery, Jane (Alvin) Ditter, Amanda Schmitz and Ethel (Ray) Ditter.

SERVICES: Harold’s family invites friends and relatives to a time of visitation on Monday, February 10, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Fond du Lac from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place following the visitation at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his name.

The family would like to give their thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Hospice Home of Hope for their thoughtful care and support.