Audrey Mattes Schiedermayer
A giving heart that just couldn't give anymore.
Audrey Mattes Schiedermayer entered into eternal life with her Savior, surrounded by her loving family, at Appleton Medical Center on Monday, March 16, 2015. Audrey was born in Manitowoc on November 21, 1926, grew up in Collins, and graduated as Valedictorian from Valders High School in 1945. She was a youth gymnast and could touch her head to the floor behind her back. She and her brother were a song and tap dance team. After high school she moved to Appleton with her parents and attended Lawrence University. Graduating with a BA degree in 1949, she taught English and French at Gillett High School for several years. While at Lawrence, Audrey met and fell in love with Larry Schiedermayer. They married in 1951 and moved to Detroit (Royal Oak) where they lived for 5 years. They moved back to Appleton in 1956.
Although a full-time homemaker, she was active in the church and in our community. She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church for a number of years and later returned to Trinity Lutheran Church, where she and Larry had attended during their courtship. She volunteered for several organizations including King's Daughters and the American Association of University Women.
Audrey believed in a strong family and always put her family first and foremost. Audrey and Larry had a rock solid marriage, were very hard workers, and shared their values and love for the outdoors with their children. They owned a tree farm and cottage in Waushara County and over the years Audrey participated in the hand planting of over 34, 000 trees.
Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Armie Otto and Olive Ione Mattes of Appleton and her younger brother Rev. Jarvie L. (Monie) Mattes of La Crosse. She is survived by her loving husband Lawrence (Larry), her two sons, Dr. Dave (Kim) Schiedermayer of Appleton, and Brett (Leahi Kaulia) Schiedermayer of Burlingame CA.
She simply adored her four grandchildren. Three are the children of Dave & Kim: Jon (Becky) Schiedermayer of Appleton, Dan (Clare) Schiedermayer of Middleton Wisconsin, Ellie (fiancé Sam McColley) Schiedermayer of Bozeman, Montana. The fourth is Mason (3), son of Brett & Leahi. She even had a chance during her dying process to be the only one to hear the name of Brett and Leahi's unborn child, due to arrive in a few weeks. She loved all of these grandchildren dearly and had a radiant smile for each of them, and had a wonderful hope for the future for all of them.
Due to the simultaneous combination of excellent cardiology care and hospice, she was able to live long enough in the hospital to say goodbye to each of her family members in her own way.
Audrey's Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 209 S. Allen Street, Appleton on Saturday, March 21 at 3 pm. Visitation with family and friends will be from 1 pm to 3 pm. To express condolences, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Audrey's name is being established with the American Heart Association to fund ongoing research on the causes of and treatments for atrial fibrillation.