Shirley Mae Schmill, age 90, a resident of Manitowoc, went peacefully to her heavenly home on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers.
Shirley was born on May 8, 1934 in Manitowoc, the daughter of the late Alfred and Erna (Fischer) Borgwardt. She was baptized on May 31, 1934. Shirley attended First German Ev. Lutheran School and was confirmed in her faith on June 10, 1948. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1952. On May 22, 1954 she married Howard E. Schmill at First German Ev. Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. They were blessed to celebrate 65 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on June 16, 2019. Shirley was employed as a legal secretary for 43 years. She first worked for Atty. Robert E. Koutnik and then with the law firm of Radosevich, Mozinski and Cashman. During this time, she was a member of the former Manitowoc County Legal Secretaries Association and former Wisconsin Legal Secretaries Associaiton. In 1999 she retired as a legal secretary but continued working parttime for David’s House of Travel. Shirley was an active member of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and a member of the the Ladies of Immanuel organization. She was also an active volunteer during Repeat Performance’s early years, serving in a variety of areas including serving as a day manager. Shirley and Howard enjoyed camping with family and friends for many years, traveling to various campgrounds in Wisconsin. For over 25 years, she and Howard enjoyed relaxing at their seasonal site at Frontier Wilderness in Door County. Shirley enjoyed all the family times at home and in Door County. She loved attending her granddaughters’ choral, instrumental and theater events. She also enjoyed numerous bus trips and ocean cruises with her husband, family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathy A. Schmill, Manitowoc; son, Greg R. (Renee) Schmill, Manitowoc; daughter, Patti L. (Mukesh) Kumar, Canton, MI; and four granddaughters: Angela (Ben) Hohenstein, Hubertus; Rebekah (Pastor Jason) Strong, Fairbanks, AK; Stephanie (Chad) Alsteen, Spring Valley, CA; Kimberly (Eric) Duve, Cottage Grove; and her great grandchildren, Mara and Gabriella Strong and Emma and Henry Duve; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Erna Borgwardt; husband, Howard; infant son, Thomas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Etta Schmill; brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Betty Borgwardt; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Joan Schmill.
The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Theobald and the NP Philip M. Micksch, the entire staff of Angelus Senior Living, and the Aurora therapists who helped Shirley so much during the past years. They would also like to thank the Aurora Hospital Emergency room staff, and the third-floor comfort and hospice personnel for all the compassionate care shown to Shirley during her brief illness.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 916 Pine Street, Manitowoc. The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Officiating at the funeral service will be Rev. Paul Bowe. After the funeral service there will be a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. Following the luncheon a committal service will be held at Knollwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to be made to Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church or Manitowoc Lutheran High School. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
