Delmar E. Schmeichel

Delmar Edward Schmeichel, age 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. He was born in Appleton, son of the late Harold and Rosanna (Winters) Schmeichel, where he grew up with his brother Verl and sister Eunice.

Del married Rosemary Van Handel in 1950. Over the years, Del was a mailman and a school bus driver, along with helping to build several barns and houses. He dairy farmed for many years, where he was the first in the county to utilize artificial breeding to improve his dairy herd. In 1967, he opened Schmeichel’s Welding, a blacksmith shop that allowed him the opportunity to invent and create. Above all, Del lived to serve others:  family, neighbors, and community. In 1954, he helped form the Town of Center Volunteer Fire Department and served as Chief years later. He also served as a County Board Supervisor and a Commissioner on the East Central Regional Planning Commission.

Retirement allowed him the time to pursue his passion for training and breeding pacing racehorses. He is survived by his first racehorse, Magnificat. 

After Rosemary passed away, Del got a second chance at love with Diane Magee, who he married in 1997. Del and Diane shared a love of all things horseracing.

Delmar will be sadly missed by his children: JeanMarie (Dave) Hinds, Steven (Lynn) Schmeichel, Jeffrey (Martha) Schmeichel; stepchildren: Johnna (Bob) Van Deurzen and Amy Self; grandchildren: Daniel (Nicole) Schmeichel, Erica Laabs, Sarah (Joseph) Murphy, Matthew Schmeichel, Tanner and Bridget Self, Chris Hinds, Ben Van Deurzen, Bob Van Deurzen, Amie (Timothy) Campbell and Nichole (JJ) Hermes; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Ruth Schmeichel; Jule and Joan VanHandel, Janet and Ruth Haviland; and brothers-in-law: Edward Jochman, Norbert Techlin, Richard (Alice) VanHandel, and Keith Haviland. Delmar was preceded in death by Rosemary and Diane; his parents, Harold and Rosanna; and his siblings, Verl Schmeichel and Eunice Jochman. Del was loved by so many more. For those who love and honor the people in their lives, love and honor come back.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 25, 2018 at St. Edward Catholic Church, N2926 State Hwy 47, Appleton, with Fr. Walter Stumpf officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in the parish cemetery immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Edward Catholic Church.

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