Carol A. Schmidt

Carol A. Schmidt, 73 of La Crosse, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. She courageously fought multiple myeloma for six years. She was born in Whitehall, WI on August 18, 1950, to Perman and Anna (Johnson) Severson. While growing up on the farm she enjoyed showing pigs at the county and state fairs. She graduated from Galesville High School in 1968. Carol continued her education receiving her Nursing degree from Viterbo University in La Crosse. She continued on to get her master’s degree in health care administration from St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. Early on she worked for many years at Gundersen Hospital and Clinic in La Crosse and Onalaska. After spending five years in Minneapolis and working in the medical field she returned to La Crosse in 1994. She spent the rest of her career working at St. Francis (Mayo Clinic) in La Crosse and Onalaska. Initially she headed the Residency Clinic in La Crosse for many years. She then moved to Onalaska to open and head the Onalaska Clinic as an Administrator. The Holmen and Arcadia Clinics were quickly added to her administerial duties, then retiring in 2017. Carol was extremely proud to be a Registered Nurse caring for others while making lifelong friends.

On August 12, 1978, she married Robert “Bob” Schmidt at the First Presbyterian Church in Galesville, WI. Carol loved spending time with her three grandchildren. She was an avid golfer and at times was known to vehemently express her displeasure with a particular shot. She loved gardening, nature and wildlife. Many evenings were spent watching the critters in the yard or in the wild or on safari. She was a world traveler. Taking vacations in Luxembourg, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, Brazil, Norway, Germany, Sweden and others including many cruises. Her two favorite vacations were South Africa and China. No less important were the yearly family vacations to Lake Namekagon in Cable, WI.

In addition to her husband Bob, she is survived by her two children, Amy Schmidt Schilling and Justin (fiancé, Miranda Panzer) Schmidt both of La Crosse; three grandsons, Chase, Carson and William Schilling; sister-in-law, Laurie Marsh; special niece, Nicole Diehl; and many other loving family members. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gary Severson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 9th at North Presbyterian Church, 1327 N. Salem Road, La Crosse with Pastor Scott Skogen officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday from 5-7p.m. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. South, La Crosse and again at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Private burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Centerville, WI. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Health Services Oncology Department; Joe Was Just Joe (JWJJ) Foundation; Breakthrough TID (formerly JDRF) of La Crosse or the Salvation Army in La Crosse.

Carol’s family would like to thank the medical stay at Mayo Clinic Health Services in La Crosse and Rochester for their care and devotion to Carol and her family