Sister Barbara Schmidt O.S.F.

Sister Barbara M. Schmidt, OSF, age 77, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, died July 1, 2013 at St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay.

She was born May 1, 1936 in Oshkosh, WI to LeRoy and Harriet Schmidt. She attended St. Joseph and St. Peter Grade Schools, and graduated from Oshkosh North High School in 1954. She worked part time at Kiekaefer's in Oshkosh as telephone operator, while attending UWO for two years before entering the Community of the Sisters of St. Francis in 1956. She graduated from St. Norbert College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Education Degree. Her Masters in Administration in 1974 was from the University of Dayton in Ohio. She celebrated her 50th Jubilee in 2007. She taught in many schools in the Green Bay and Madison Dioceses. Grade schools where Sister taught included: St. John the Baptist, Howard, St. Joseph, Marinette, St. Joseph, Madison, St. Boniface, DePere, St. Kilian, New Franken, St. Matthew, Green Bay, St. Mary, Peshtigo, Sts. Peter & Paul, Institute, St. Charles, Lena, Holy Angels, Darboy, and St. Vincent, Oshkosh. For most of her teaching career she taught 7th and 8th grade, and for many of these years she was also the Principal. After 37 years of teaching in the elementary schools, she decided to enjoy the little ones, and for ten more enjoyable years, she taught two-year-olds in Day Care at the Gingerbread House and Christian Community in Oshkosh.

Being raised on a farm, Sister Barb had a great love of all animals, especially miniature Schnauzers. She enjoyed driving the tractor for hauling hay, working in the fields, and caring and harvesting the garden crops. She enjoyed playing musical instruments during her life time, especially the organ, accordion, guitar, and harmonica. She appreciated listening to music, live performances, reading a good book and going for walks.

Sister had a great compassion for her aging parents and helped care for them in addition to her teaching responsibilities while in the Oshkosh area. She also cared for her priest brother while he was dying with cancer.

Upon retirement, Sister moved to the Motherhouse in November 2006 where she volunteered for Community Service.

Sister Barb is survived by her sister, Dorothy (Schmidt) Bauer and her husband, Chuck Bauer, an aunt and uncle, several cousins, Community of Sisters of St. Francis, Associates, and many friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, brother Fr. Gene, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Family and friends may call at St. Francis Convent, 3110 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay for visitation on Friday, July 5 from 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. The rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at Holy Cross Church, 3009 Bay Settlement Rd. on Saturday, July 6 from 9:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Ralph Merkatoris officiating. Burial will be in the convent cemetery.

The Sisters and Sister Barb's family thank Dr. Seccombe and the surgical team at St. Vincent Hospital for their valiant efforts on Sister Barb's behalf.