Jean (Bretl) Schmitz

Jeanette “Jean” (Bretl) Schmitz, 92, of Maplewood passed away at Oak Creek Assisted Living in Algoma on September 30, 2019.  She was born March 28, 1927 in the town of Nasewaupee to John and Pauline (Blonde) Klaubauf.

On June 25, 1947, Jean married Francis Bretl and he preceded her in death on April 3, 1962.  She later married Norbert Schmitz on December 9, 1966, who preceded her in death on July 19, 1987. 

For a number of years, Jean worked for the Title One Program at Southern Door School.  She was a lifetime member of the Holy Name of Mary Church and the Christian Mothers.  She also made hundreds of rosaries and sewed quilts for missions.  Jean loved gardening, knitting, sewing, and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and cats.

Survivors include her seven children, Jane (Mike) Charles, Green Bay; Mary (Paul) Penovich, Sturgeon Bay; Barbara (Dennis) LeFevre, Maplewood; Robert (Diana) Bretl, Portland, OR; Patricia (Thomas) Vetter, Janesville; Marie (Mitch) Paschke, Sturgeon Bay; John (Susan) Schmitz, Kaukauna; 20 grandchildren, 32 great-granchildren; in-laws, Joyce Klaubauf, Joyce and Don Cole, David and Susan Bretl, and Mark Zettel.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, 2 grandsons Jonathan Schmitz and Ryan LeFevre, two great-grandchildren, Riley Charles and Natalie Bretl; three brothers, Walter (Marguerite) Klaubauf, Edward (Leatrice) Klaubauf, Richard (Elaine) Klaubauf; a sister, Marion (Edward) Gosser; and several in-laws on the Bretl and Schmitz side.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Holy Name of Mary Church.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. at the church until time of services.  Forbes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Special thanks to the staff at Oak Creek and to Unity Hospice for all the wonderful care and support.

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