Mary Carol Schmidt

Mary Carol Schmidt, 90, of De Pere, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Caraton Commons in De Pere, WI. The daughter of John and Minnie (Hendricks) Cleven was born on December 8, 1933 in De Pere, WI. She married Arnie Schmidt on July 9, 1960. Mary was a devout Catholic and member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. Mary had a career with Associated Bank, working until retirement. Mary’s free time consisted of card playing, penny machines, antique shopping, live performances, and the daily newspaper puzzles. 

Mary Carol Cleven became Mary Schmidt on July 9, 1960, marrying her true love and soulmate, Arnold Schmidt. They had three beautiful daughters, raising them in Rockland, WI. 

Mary was a devoted mother who raised three strong and independent daughters. She was always there for them, as well as her granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Mary was very supportive of everything the girls participated in, showing up to every sporting game, attending as the most spirited mother in the crowd. Mary was a devout Catholic, as a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. She raised her girls in a Catholic environment, as well as her granddaughter, starting their lives out in Parochial School. As an independent, working, single mother, she also helped Pam with raising Stacey, allowing her to work and build up their lives. In turn, she helped Stacey with Adally just the same. Mary was also a dedicated employee, working at Notre Dame Academy, Associated Bank, and continuing to work even into retirement - purely for fun. Mary was a planner and a budgeter, so she always saved up and made time to take her girls on vacation, providing them with as much of a childhood as possible. Continuing with her strength of culture and wanting her girls to experience everything, she brought this into Stacey’s life as well. Starting as a young girl, she would bring Stacey to theatrical performances, as well as share her love and develop Stacey’s love for The Three Tenors, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, and many more. Mary loved traveling; she greatly enjoyed touring Europe, as well as gambling group trips throughout the United States, attending with her church friends. She also enjoyed traveling the United States beyond gambling and loved her trip to Hawaii. Mary was known for her love of gambling, playing Sheep-head, traveling to Las Vegas, playing cards with friends, as well as spending a plethora of time at the penny machines. Maybe even more than travel, Mary loved her evening bowling league, playing Thursday nights with her sister and closest friends. If you haven’t heard the story, find one of the Schmidt girls about the infamous bowling split win! Once the bowling life was behind her, Mary attended weekly water aerobics at the YMCA, followed by coffee meetups and lunch dates with her new, beautiful friends she made! In addition to her coffee-clutch group, she made dear friends with her neighbors, rotating weekly cards and maybe having some old fashioneds!

Survivors include her children: Karen (Jeff) Schmidt, Marlene (Tod) Schmidt, Pam Schmidt; her granddaughter, Stacey (Tyler) Schmidt and great-granddaughter, Adally Jade. 

Mary was proceeded in death by: Arnold Schmidt, Donnie (Regina) Cleven, Bob (Cy) Cleven, Blanche (Hank) Heezen, and Alice (Bernie) Wicker. 

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Caraton Commons; the friends Mary made and the amazing team that loved her dearly in the three years she lived there. Additionally, a heart of gratitude for St. Croix Hospice for helping Mary live her time in utmost comfort. 

Family and friends may visit Cotter Funeral Home Friday, October 18, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at 860 North Webster Ave, De Pere. WI. 

Visitation will continue at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 9:30am-10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00,4805 Sportsmans Drive, Ledgeview with lunch time to follow the mass. The burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in De Pere, WI.