Eileen A. Schmitzer

Eileen Ann (Kugler) Schmitzer passed away peacefully at her home with her family after a short battle with Progressive Bulbar Palsy (ALS) on Feb 18, 2015. She was born Feb. 28, 1943 to the late Lawrence C. and Dorothy (Ulmen) Kugler in Appleton, WI.

She was married 50 years to the love of her life, Donald Joseph “Joe” Schmitzer, Jr. on August 1, 1964 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Appleton. Eileen graduated from Appleton West High School. She enjoyed working for the Appleton Public Library until she became a stay at home mom. Eileen was a loving wife and mother. Her family enjoyed Sundays at her parents playing games and sharing a meal with her siblings; along with many trips up to the family cottage in Grindle Lake, WI and weekends with long-time friends, Jon and Helen. In her younger years, she enjoyed bowling and going dancing with the girls. Over the years, Joe and Eileen enjoyed taking road trips and camping wherever they ended up. Eileen loved to hit the casino to play the slots, up until the end. She had many fond memories of tap dancing as a child and loved watching her granddaughter dance.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; daughter and son-in-law: Lisa and Doug Wilke and their daughter, Hailey; son and daughter-in-law: Daniel and Jo Ann and their daughter, Khyleigh. As well as her brother, Jim Kugler (Georgia Sierra); sister, Diane Kugler; mother-in-law, M. Louise Schmitzer; brother-in-law, Dave (Mary) Schmitzer; sister-in-law, Mary Kugler; niece, Patti (Brian) Vogt and their daughter, McKayla. She was preceded in death by her brother, Lawrence “Larry” Kugler and father-in-law, Donald J. Schmitzer, Sr.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Wichmann Funeral Home-Laemmrich Chapel, 312 Milwaukee Street in Menasha with Chaplain Jordan Kuczwara officiating. A Memorial Gathering will be held from 11:00am until the time of service at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend special thanks for the loving care from Cathy Shine, Neuroscience Group, Sara Plath, AMC and the Theda Care At Home Hospice team.