Patricia A. “Patty” Schmidt, 73, of Kewaskum, passed away on August 31, 2024, at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa with her family at her side. She bravely fought multiple myeloma for ten years. Despite her illness, she never let it stop her from doing the things she wanted or needed to do.   Patty was born on January 15, 1951, in Fond du Lac, the daughter of the late Edwin and Rosemarie (nee Boegel) Amerling.   On October 7, 1972, she married Richard W. Schmidt at St. Killian Catholic Church in St. Killian.   Patty dedicated over 30 years to Kohl’s Department Store, where she held various roles. Her favorite position was as a visual where she enjoyed setting up store displays in West Bend and traveling to stores nationwide. She took immense pride in her work, always aiming for perfection. Additionally, Patty served as the president of Branch 113 of Catholic Financial for many years and was deeply involved in her church, contributing in numerous ways throughout the years.   As an avid sports fan, Patty cheered for all Wisconsin teams, especially the Green Bay Packers. Patty loved reading good books, sharing coffee with friends, and creating countless memories with her loved ones. Playing card games with family was one of her favorite activities. Patty also enjoyed hosting and attending social events, meeting new people, and living life to the fullest. She took many memorable vacations with family and friends, each one cherished.    Above all, Patty was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. Family was very important to her, and she cherished their gatherings. She will always be remembered as a friendly, talkative, and loving individual who touched the hearts of everyone she encountered.   Those Patty leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband of almost 52 years, Richard; two children, Tammy (Jay) Hernke and Sam Schmidt (Anja); two grandchildren, Grace and Josh Hernke; two siblings, John (Anne) Amerling and Mary (Larry) Fleischman; a brother-in-law, Dan (Phyllis) Schmidt; a sister-in-law, Sandra Amerling; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.    In addition to her parents, Patty was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Amerling; a sister-in-law, Joanne Schulteis; her mother and father-in-law, Sylvester and Ione Schmidt; and other family.   VISITATION: Patty’s family greeted relatives and friends at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 305 Main Street, in Kewaskum, on Friday, Sept. 6, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.   SERVICE: A Mass of Christian Burial for Patty was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum with Father Patrick Magnor officiating. Burial followed at Lutheran Memorial Park in Kewaskum.    The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the cancer staff who knew her and provided care over the years. Special thanks to Dr. Charles Sammis for discovering the illness, Dr. Colin Mooney for his treatment efforts, and Dr. Anita D’Souza, who led her care and became a dear friend. The family is deeply thankful to the fantastic cancer and support team at Froedtert Health and Hospital for ensuring she received the best care possible.   The Myrhum – Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Patty’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.

   Frank Joseph Beesten, born Franz Josef Alexander Maria von Beesten, died peacefully in his sleep at home, on July 23, 2024. Born on December 23, 1933, Frank went to his heavenly Father at the age of 90, in Canton, GA, where daughters and grandchildren could regularly visit and take care of him. He was the son of Heinrich and Franziska (Goerdes) von Beesten of Koblenz, Germany.   All who knew Frank enjoyed his compassion, curiosity, ready smile and great - at times delightfully sassy - humor. Frank consumed multiple daily newspapers and news magazines and was an active participant in the civic fabric of Kewaskum, his home with wife Mary for over 40 years.   He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Wachholz Beesten; son, Joseph John Beesten; and brother, Hans Joachim v. Beesten.   He is survived by his sister, Hiltrud (Tom) Melin; three daughters, Cheryl (Phil) West, Pamela (Mike) Last, and Michelle Beesten Alexander; his seven grandchildren, Katie (Clint) Royer, Hillary (Justin) Jeter, Caleb Last, Trevin Last, Gavin (Kirsten) West, Julia (James) Shealy, and Zol Beesten Sotelo; and 11 great-grandchildren, Aubrynn, Chantry, Ahava, Creed, Avionna, Liliana, Benton, Waverly, Jubilee, Theodore and Solomon. Beloved surviving nieces and cousins include Barbara and Larry, Mirja, Petra, Anna, Debbie, Mary Ellen, Nancy, Karen, Lori-Jean, Lois, Robert, Greg and Sheila.   The great arc of Frank's journey from a vanquished post-war Germany, to experiencing a hard-working version of the American dream, launched with a decision at age 14 to move to the United States. In 1951, at age 17, he boarded the Liberte from Le Havre, France, ocean-bound for New York and land-travel to Manitowoc County. Under the sponsorship of family friends, the Thiels, he received room and board on their dairy farm, a $1.00 daily stipend and a set number of years to work off the cost of his passage. When applauded for his youthful courage, he would dismiss the notion by saying he had a simple dream - to land on a farm so that he could eat. In Wisconsin he furthered his class-room English to fluency through the radio and an active social life, which included fireman's picnics, where he met his future bride, Mary. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Camp Wolters, TX, from 1955 to 1957, where he became naturalized in 1957. The love letters he and Mary exchanged at that time attest to beautiful dreams of family and devotion. They married in 1959, when he was 26, and raised four children. He took a job at the Manitowoc Post Office, where he continued to work, even after he and Mary bought their 28-acre farm in 1969. There they raised beef cattle, grew hay and corn, and cultivated a massive garden, living a farm life filled with dances, polka music, farm equipment, barn repairs, and fireworks over Lake Michigan.   After joining the Post Office as a mail-carrier, Frank worked his way up into management and became Postmaster in 1978. He moved his family to Kewaskum, Wisconsin, where they resided and grew their cherished network of friends for over 40 years. Frank served as treasurer in several organizations - Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Lions Club, the local library - and served for many years on the Village Planning Commission until age 88. Frank assumed a leadership role in the federal Postmasters and Managers organization, dedicating many years volunteering to represent federal workers' interests.   In retirement, he and Mary enjoyed travel, concerts, their neighbors, and hosting good friends for memorable meals. Frank's cooking became more than a habit; his food obsession kept him active tracking down quality ingredients around the Milwaukee, West Bend and Manitowoc area. He became a full-time caretaker of Mary in her last few years, and they moved to Canton, Georgia in 2022 to be near their daughters for more immediate support.   Frank was able to truly enjoy the fruits of his life-long labors, enjoying the peace of security and comfort that his origins as a self-proclaimed "poor little immigrant boy" did not guarantee. Rather, he earned them through unrelenting cheerfulness and methodical hard work. His sharp humor, the twinkle of his eye, big heart, and insightfulness will be sorely missed.   Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Rev. Christian Raj will officiate with burial to take place at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery in Francis Creek. A luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Friday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com   In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Frank’s name to St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery which will be used to maintain the cemetery grounds.   The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.