Valerie K.
Schmidt
Please Click Here to view the services held for Valerie Schmidt on March 8th of 2025
In the early Sunday hours of February 16, 2025, Valerie Kay “Val” (Ortmann) Schmidt departed this life peacefully in her sleep. Born July 13, 1940, Val was a proud member of the Bay View High School Class of ‘58, and retired longtime employee of Hydrite Chemical and Wayne Pigment Corporation. A Wisconsinite through and through, Val’s brain was an atlas of suburban Milwaukee, her closet an array of well-worn Packers apparel, and her go-to drink was a brandy old-fashioned–sweet, of course.
Val bloomed during one-on-one visits with dear friends and sunny afternoons outdoors in her garden, but her eyes never sparkled brighter than when in the presence of “her three girls,” Linda Kay (George) Helf, Lisa Marie (John) Hutts, and Laura Lynn (Brian) Baumert, who were her trio of north stars for the latter three-quarters of her life. Val will be dearly missed by those daughters, as well as her grandchildren Justin (Sarah), Jeff, Lisa (Jaron), Colin, Shanna (Connor), Marisa, and Lauren; and great-grandchildren Justus, Sophia, Amiina, Salem, and Julian. She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Irene; brother, Gary; and former husband, James B Schmidt.
Val was a walking Rolodex, easily able to recite dates and family history by memory. If you ever wanted to know a date, you knew who to call!
She loved Neil Diamond, and had the opportunity to see him in concert several times – of course saving all her tickets and newspaper clippings from the events. Forever in Blue Jeanswas one of her favorite songs.
Christmas was her favorite holiday. She looked forward to showering her family with a wall of gifts, but not until they went bowling or on a brewery tour. She cherished making this yearly memory!
In 2022, when interviewed about her life by a granddaughter, Val said, “Life is like a stepladder going up, up, up, and every morning, I open my windows and thank God for another day.” Please join us in remembering Val by taking a moment to enjoy the sun on your face, the flowers in your garden, the love of your family, special moments with friends, and the chance to live another day.
Such a beautiful collection of chapters in your mothers well lived life ! My mother always enjoyed being with her and Margaret , and they seemed to be like high school girls giggling while all together , so fun to watch … and listen !
May your hearts one day be overflowing with these beautiful , laughable memories and the loss and pain be less and less each day as you navigate without her by your side .
She is waiting for you with open arms and that is the best thing in life ! Eternity .
Hugs to you all .
Colleen Maholias and family
Val sounds like an amazing mother friend and somebody just like to hang out with. I’m so sorry for your loss, but I hope your memories always remain in your heart and stay wonderful.!
What a beautiful portrayal of her life here on Earth! Sending hugs and prayers to all of you. May Val put on the BEST, most comfortable pair of angel blue jeans to dance with Jesus.
val was great fun and a really nice person, we had some long talks, loved her wisdom, I’ll miss her.
From the first time I met Val, she took my heart with her kindness. You ‘girls’ had one special gem. Mom, Val…bright eyes, the giggler. You will be missed. The Lord has welcomed you with open arms. May you sing with the Angels as well with my mom. ❤️