Dale F. Schmitt

Following a rapid decline in health due to the complications of liver disease, our dad Dale Schmitt passed away on November 3, 2023, at St. Paul hospice in Kaukauna. His children, Michael, Andy, and Emily, are heartbroken, but have found some comfort in knowing that their father is in the loving arms of his parents, his brother Ted and his wife Linda in Heaven.

Dale Francis Schmitt was born February 8, 1957 in Kaukauna to George John Schmitt and Ruth Mae (Despins) Schmitt.  He was the eighth of their 13 children.

The Schmitt family has been in Kaukauna since the 1880s and in Wisconsin since 1845. Dale continued this tradition, and has been a lifelong resident - growing up on West 8th Street, graduating from Kaukauna High School in 1975, and raising his own family in Kaukauna.

Dale met LuAnn Wilber at High Cliff State Park while they were each hanging out with their friends. Dale often told the story of how he gave LuAnn a can of beer, but she never even drank it. Regardless, Dale followed his impulses, and immediately told his parents that LuAnn was the one. The pair were married June 25, 1977 at Prince of Peace Lutheran in Appleton. Although the marriage ended in 2001, Dale has always said that the marriage brought about the three best children a guy could ask for.

Dale met Linda Ann White at his brother Bill’s Marina Bar in Kaukauna. The pair married on October 29, 2005 at the Bethany Pentecostal Church in Long Lake, Wisconsin. Dale’s son Michael served as the best man. Dale and Linda enjoyed camping, music and spending time together. Linda passed away on September 16, 2011.

Dale briefly worked for the post office as a young man, but spent the bulk of his career at Appleton Papers/Appleton Coated in Combined Locks, starting in November 1975. His younger days were spent in the core department before switching to the storeroom. 42 years there lead to lifelong friendships.

He picked up an interest in radio during his teen years. Dad was an avid amateur (ham) and CB radio enthusiast, call sign N9LDC – the Loose Dog Catcher. He spoke with people around the world, and was elected the president of the newly formed United CBers at Jack's Rose Hill Bar in May 1976. If you never used an amateur radio, you could probably still find Dale – his 70-foot tower flying the pirate flag near Dick's Drive In was a dead giveaway! Some say his voice would even come through the neighbors' TV sets. He also was a collector of clocks and watches, and an unofficial collector of cars, rarely keeping one long. He bought and sold over 150 cars of all varieties before he lost count, but he always preferred Lincolns. Our thanks to agent Dawn Leudtke for handling the endless paperwork!

Our dad is survived by his three children, Michael, Andy, and Emily (Shane) as well as grandchildren Charles, Thomas and Lindsay Mae, who he loved very much. He is further survived by nine siblings: Bill (Cindy), Sue (Donald) LaBudde, Vern (Robin), Dave, Nancy (John) Mainville, Sharie (John) Stapleton, Victor (Jean), Lori (Bob) Bain, and Cindy (David) Bain. Further still by sister-in-law Judy Schmitt, and his two godsons, Aaron and Ben. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, twin brothers George and John who died at birth, brother Ted, his second wife, Linda, and his beloved pets, Mr. and Mrs. Kitty.

He had many friends, and we apologize that we cannot list them all. From school days, through the radio years, to his countless friends those from the Ritz, Journeys, Bachelors and the Nut Haus. His lifelong best friend was Mike Conrad, who Dale loved and looked up to.

Our dad had a big heart and love for everyone. He was a man of simple pleasures – chicken and beer, and nothing made him happier than sharing his "irreverent" sense of humor. His endless stories, jokes and one-liners will be remembered by everyone. Unfortunately, they are also completely unprintable! Lastly, he was a lifelong "big kid," who never tired of novelty toys and doodads.

A memorial service will be held for Dale on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Verkuilen Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 2401 Fieldcrest Dr., Kaukauna.  A time of visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.  For online condolences please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.