Vincent Schams

Vincent P. Schams, 81, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend passed away peacefully at his home on January 5, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.

Vincent was born on July 10, 1936 in La Crosse, WI to William and Mathilda (Gilles) Schams. One of nine children, he grew up on a dairy farm near St. Joseph Ridge, Wisconsin and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1954. He served with the Army National Guard from 1955 to 1958.

On July 27, 1957, Vincent married the love of his life, Lois Knutson at St. Joseph Ridge Church in La Crosse, WI. They celebrated fifty-three years of marriage before Lois’ death in 2010. With an entrepreneurial spirt, Vince co-founded and helped operate St. Joseph Construction with his brother for many years, owned and operated a grocery store, and enjoyed buying and fixing up homes to rent. He later combined his passion for hard work and travel as an over the road truck driver, an experience that gave him stories and scenery to share with family and friends. Vince was a living Rand McNally Atlas as he covered every corner of the United States.   If you were traveling somewhere, he shared with you the best way to get there and everything along the way to see.

Vince loved having his family together and left a legacy of love for celebrations. He hosted Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day picnics every year and could be found around the television with his family every time the Packers played. Vince was happiest when he was cooking. At every gathering he shared his gifts of endless life stories, wisdom, and abundant food with all who were present. Vince told his family, “I will die a happy man. My children are all blessed beyond what I could ever have imagined.” We are eternally grateful to him for sharing his gifts with us and he will forever be missed, loved and respected.

Vince is survived by his children, Dennis (Susan) Schams, Jim Schams (Judy), Sara (Randy) Mikshowsky, Michael (Lois) Schams, Patrick (Karla) Schams, Eric (Jennifer) Schams; sixteen grandchildren, Daniel (Carolyn) Schams, Nicholas (Lindsey) Schams, Samantha (Peter) Groth, Jared Schams, Sara Schams, Tara (Adam) Olson, Ashley Mikshowsky, Megan (Jason) Levendoski, Emily Schams (fiance’ Tyler Richling), Matthew Schams, Jalen Schams, Kevin Schams, Adam Schams, Brody Schams, Nathan Schams, and Mallorie Schams; and eight great-grandchildren, Bella and Jayna Hanson, Keaton, Bennett, Lauren, Grace and Gwendolyn Schams, and Samuel Olson; brothers, Donald Schams, William (Shirlee) Schams, Paul (Judy) Schams; a sister, Joanne (Dick) Arneson; brother-in-law, Eric (Pam) Knutson; and sisters-in-law, Kay (Roger) Pralle, and Ellie Knutson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, son Vincent J. Schams Jr, brothers Gerald and Ralph Schams; sisters Louise Bahr and Jeanette Longmire; brothers-in-law, Bernard Bahr, Max Longmire, and Gary Knutson; and sisters-in-law, Carol Schams and Louise Schams.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 10 ^th , at St. Joseph’s Ridge Catholic Church, W2601 Highway 33, La Crosse, with Msgr. Robert Hundt officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at the church and again from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Wednesday.

The family would like to thank the staff of Gundersen Lutheran Hospice for their love and support given to Vincent and his family during this difficult time.