Carol M. Lemmermann (Schmidtknecht) of Milwaukee, beloved wife of Thomas, mother and mother-in-law to Jeff and Kim (Fox-Lemmermann), and grandmother to Hunter and many dogs, moved on to eternal life peacefully while in her home on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the age of 76.

Carol was born on May 23, 1947, to Arnold and Alice (Kukowski) Schmidtknecht and grew up in Waumandee, Wisconsin with sisters: Sr. Ramona, Lois (Larson), Ann (Robert) Garrison, and Patricia Schmidtknecht (PJ) Schmidtknecht-Goodlette; and brothers: Donald (Kay), Tom (Betty), and Tony (Marce).

Carol graduated from Arcadia Highschool in 1965. She moved to Milwaukee where her 56 years of marriage to Tom began in 1968. After working for Master Lock and practicing as a beautician, both professionally and for many friends and relatives; her passion for helping others guided her back to school at Alverno College where she earned Bachelor's Degree. She earned her Master's Degrees in Natural Sciences at UW-Lacrosse. Ultimately she became an educator in the Milwaukee Public School system. There she helped many of the children who needed it most in a number of different Special Education programs.

Carol's deep religious faith was evident in her everyday life. She was an Associate of the School Sisters of St. Francis and an active volunteer at Our Lady of the Angels for Sisters with Alzheimer's. She dedicated many hours cleaning, decorating and serving as a lay minister at St. Vincent Pallotti, and offered a helping hand wherever she could.

She truly loved to be outside and was an avid bicyclist for many years. When her health did not allow for as many bike rides, she turned to her paddle boat on Round Lake in Hayward, Wisconsin where she logged many nautical miles, often with their dog Buuutch as a passenger. When the snow fell, her athletic pursuits switched to cross country skiing. She completed three full American Birkebeiner classics (55 km) and a number of Kortelopet races. In 1986, she was awarded the Bronze Broom, an award given to the person that best exemplifies the spirit of the 'Birkie'.

Carol embraced the chance to spend as much time as she could with her grandson, and each of her 31 nieces and nephews. She rarely missed an opportunity to meet at family gatherings, and always stayed in contact with a birthday card, thank you note, or phone call. Her legendary chocolate chip cookies, Thanksgiving Day cooking (especially the stuffing), and banana cream pies will all be difficult to replicate.

Her motivation to help improve the people, places, and things that surrounded her showed in her gardening and decorating efforts. She created her own reading oasis around their cabin in Hayward, complete with a park bench, flower garden, and rock bordered walking paths. You could find her there every morning when the weather allowed, reading a book and drinking coffee.

In her nearly 76 years, Carol educated all those around her through her dedication and love for her husband, her exuberance for her son, grandson, and daughter-in-law, and her ability to teach people what to do without telling them what to do. Without a doubt she cared for anyone who needed caring and was most generous to everyone. Her love will be deeply missed.

Services to celebrate Carol will be Friday, March 15, 2024, at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church West, 201 N. 76th Street, Milwaukee WI 53213. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 10:45 AM, with a Funeral Mass to follow beginning at 11:00 AM.