Obituary: Wilmer W. Schulz

Wilmer W. Schulz, age 95, of Sherwood, died on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Emerald Ridge Assisted Living in Neenah.  He was born May 17, 1929 in Harrison, son of the late Charles & Esther (Bartel) Schulz.  

He married Jeanette Pingel on October 9, 1948 at Peace Church in Potter and the couple dedicated their lives to the raising of their 3 children.  She preceded him in death on July 27, 1997 and later married Fay M. Cummings on May 23, 2003 at Peace Church in Potter.  She preceded him in death on February 23, 2020.

In high school, Wilmer enjoyed playing the trombone and baseball and always had a desire to go to college but remained on the farm to continue in his family’s legacy.  Early in his marriage with Jeanette, Wilmer moved on to a farm near Chilton in 1949 and in the early 1950’s moved back to manage the Schulz Family Farm which was the same farm where he was born and raised. It was here that he would spend 90 of his 95 years on Earth.  This was a farm originally built for horses, but Willie transformed it into a Grade “A” milk production farm.  As a man who appreciated and facilitated change, Willie took great pride in the accomplishments of his farm and the house he had built.  A bit later in life, Willie became the superintendent of High Cliff State Park, and part of the park where he worked happened to have been a part of the Schulz family farm.  

He had also been a Dekalb Seed Representative and sold homemade maple syrup, raised a seemingly endless supply of fruit, and would frequently be found hunting raccoons, fishing, hunting, and sturgeon spearing.  

He was a lifelong member of Peace Evangelical & Reformed Church in Potter and cherished his faith.  He wanted to make sure, even at a very young age, to continue to grow in his faith on knowledge making sure he attended confirmation by biking to class every Saturday morning.  Throughout his life, he served on consistory as well as various other committees and was instrumental in the establishment of the Buildings & Grounds Committee which still operates today.  Not only did Willie devote much of his life to his church, but he also freely gave of himself to serve his community by being elected to and serving on the Hilbert School District Board.  

In his free time, he enjoyed time spent with friends playing cards and attending neighborhood parties.  After a day on the lake fishing, he would frequent Vic’s Tavern, now known as the Fishtail Inn, to share stories and create memories with friends and patrons.  He was a member of the Brickyard Fishing Club and looked forward to the hunting season in the St. John Swamp and making wood for fires to cook down his delicious maple syrup.  

Survivors include his children: Gerald (Mary) Schulz, Chuck (Janet) Schulz, Randy (Betty) Schulz; Step-Children:  Robert (Terri) Cummings, Mike (Connie) Cummings, Paul (Sandy) Cummings, Tom (Penny) Cummings, Glenn (Kerry) Cummings, Sheila (Kevin) Towle, Deanna Cummings; Grandchildren:  Tricia (Steve) Voelz, Bill (Kim) Schulz, David (Anna) Schulz, Craig Schulz, Joshua Schulz, Emily (Dan) Barelmann, Adam (Caitie) Schulz; Step-Grandchildren:  Rebecca (Troy) McGlone, William (Ashlie) Cummings, Morgan (Ethan) Steingraber, Tyler (Grace) Cummings, Madelynn Cummings, Troy (Sheila) Cummings, Derek (Kelly) Cummings, Logan Cummings, Hailey Cummings, Sage Cummings, Parker Cummings; and his Great-Grandchildren:  Brooke & Jamie Voelz, Oliver, Miles, & Felix Schulz, Sam, Lily, Collin & Violet Schulz, Eloise & Lucille Barelmann, Emily, Isaac, & Nora McGlone, Alanis, Sophia, & Aubrey Cummings, Grayson Steingraber, Annabella VanderLinden & Aubrey Cummings, and Kennedy Cummings.  He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-son: Gregory Cummings; a step-grandchild: Levi Cummings; and a sister: Dorothy (Clarence) Wittman.

Funeral service will be at 11:30 am on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Peace Evangelical & Reformed Church (181 Main St.) in Potter with Rev. Dr. Marc Axelrod officiating.  Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Chilton.  A time of visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until 11:15 am on Thursday, June 27, 2024.  At the time of the service, there will be a link available at wietingfuneralhome.com for those wishing to watch a live stream or archived recording of the service, watch a memorial video, or see pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.