Dennis A. Schmidt, 78, of Merrill, passed away Friday, January 26, 2024, at Mount View Care Center surrounded by his family.
Dennis was born January 22, 1946, in Merrill, son of the late Arthur and Phyllis (Kleinschmidt) Schmidt. He graduated from high school and enlisted in the United States Army in 1965. After serving during the Vietnam War, he was honorably discharged in 1967. Dennis married VerJean Kleinschmidt on April 26, 1969. She survives.
Dennis had worked as a bricklayer for various companies including McGivern Masonry. He was a fifty-year member of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 6.
At age 46, Dennis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He never let his diagnosis deter him from anything. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, walking in the woods, cutting firewood, and camping. He also enjoyed cooking over a campfire and working on puzzles. Dennis would often be found at his home tinkering with a project.
Survivors include his wife, VerJean Schmidt of Merrill; son, Jeremy (Rick Palmerton) Schmidt of Wausau; grandchildren, Ashley (Ben) Jozwiak of Wausau and Madisen Palmerton of Winona, MN; great-grandson, Jayden; sisters, Polly Malik of Capitola, CA, Patty (Jeff) Reynolds of Tony, WI, Brenda Schmidt of Owatonna, MN, and Michelle Schmidt (Dave DeHart) of Merrill; brothers, Mike (Sue) Schmidt of New Auburn, WI, Gerald (Linda) Schmidt of Michigan City, IN, Randy (Peggie) Schmidt of Elk Mound, WI, Tom (Sally) Schmidt of Merrill, Dick (Roxann) Schmidt of Wausau, and Kevin (Lisa) Schmidt of Merrill; sisters-in-law, Marie Kleinschmidt of Merrill and Dawn Kleinschmidt of Missouri; brother-in-law, Jim (Char) Kleinschmidt of Lake Tomahawk, WI; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Phyllis Schmidt; sister, Karen Schmidt; brother, Stephen Schmidt; brothers-in-law, Jody Malik, Lawrence Kleinschmidt, and Ronald Kleinschmidt; and niece and nephews, Nickole VanHecker, Shane Schmidt, and Collin Schultz.
The funeral service for Dennis will be held at 12:00 P.M., Noon, Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Lay Minister Don Everhart will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, February 2, 2024, and again after 10:00 am Saturday all at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
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