Elsbeth Schmiedlin

Schmiedlin, Elsbeth (Bette) Jane LODI- Elsbeth (Bette) Jane Schmiedlin (nee: Wells) was born on Jan. 25, 1921. She grew up in Lodi, her hometown and place of birth, graduating from Lodi High School in 1939. She passed away on Thursday, July 09, 2015, from ovarian cancer which she faced with realism and strength. On Feb. 1, 1940, she married James L. Schmiedlin, a marriage that has lasted for over 75 years. During that time she raised five children, James Palmer, Robert Bradley, Suzanne Wells, Chrisandra Jane and Julie Elsbeth. Her home was her sanctuary and she took pride in providing a nice and caring home for her children and numerous animals through the years. Animals gave her great joy and she was always willing to go help an injured bird or take in a stray dog or cat. The friendships she had through the years were close and long lasting. She always said if you can count on three or four people in your life as truly close friends, you are blessed. Elsbeth loved to listen to music, singing and dancing along with tunes from Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and many Big Band musicians. She also loved a good love story and it was not uncommon to hear her sniffling in front of the TV while enjoying one of her favorite shows. Elsbeth also loved all things sports in her latter years, always cheering on "her boys" whether they were the Packers, Badgers or Brewers. Her voice, her laughter, her ability to simply be silly and her sometimes saucy sense of humor, will be missed as well as her loving touch and kind words just when you needed them the most. We will miss you...and we hope that you have found peace now where you could not always find it in this life. We love you and will do as you asked, which was to "please remember me when I am gone." Elsbeth Jane leaves behind her loving husband, James; her two sons, James (Penny) Schmiedlin and Robert (Lorraine) Schmiedlin; her two daughters, Suzanne (James) Fitzgerald and Julie (John) Cakanic; her grandchildren, Heidi (Scott) Ness, Andrew (India) Schmiedlin, Deborah (Chris) Pakyz, Kristen Schmiedlin, Elizabeth (Edward) Brey, James (Kimberly) Fitzgerald, Stefanie (Jason) Teske and Rhea Jane Lyons; two step-grandchildren, Ian and Emma Cakanic; as well as many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marjorie Gordon and her daughter, Chrisandra (Raj) Sarda. The family would like to thank the staff at Lodi Good Samaritan Nursing Home and Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg for their support and care. A memorial gathering will be held at GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY LODI, 700 Clark St., Lodi, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday July 19, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages support for the Reach Out Lodi Community and Resource Center, P.O. Box 316, Lodi, WI 53555. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Lodi Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main Street (608)592-3201