Obituary

Racine-Irene M. Schmidt, 90, passed away at Ridgewood Care Center on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

Irene was born in Racine on February 6, 1933, to Louis and Mary (nee: Muranski) Pongo. She married Herbert A. Schmidt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Racine on September 14, 1951. They were high school sweethearts at Racine Lutheran High School after meeting on a blind date as Blondie and Dagwood at a costume party where they were being matched up as characters. He preceded her in death on March 31, 2007.

Irene was a very kind, caring, and giving person. She would always go above and beyond to care for her family and help others in need. On special occasions she would make her Hungarian kapusta, and a Thanksgiving favorite, her mother's turkey dressing. Irene had many friendships that she formed with the neighborhood families over the years, and she still got together with girlfriends from high school through her later years.

Irene is survived by her children, Mark (Joann) Schmidt, Julie (Wayne) Heusdens and Jane (Trent) Michels, grandchildren Jason Schmidt and Eric Schmidt, Jesse Kaplan and Kristina Schmidt, great grandchildren Sierra, Addison, Ella, Selina and Justin, brother-in-law Ronald (Rose) Schmidt and sister-in-law Jocelyn Janzow. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Kathy Kaplan, son-in-law Dennis Heusdens, her sister Rosemary (Richard) Roedema, sister-in-law Marlene (John) Jenel and brother-in-law John Janzow.

A visitation for Irene will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Funeral service will take place at 12:00 p.m.. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be directed to a charity of one's choice.

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