Barbara Schmidt

Sun Prairie - Barbara Jane Schmidt, age 79 died at Columbus Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 after a brief illness.
She was born on December 2, 1935 in Little Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of the late Col. Frances William Bordeleau and Lola (Hamm) Bordeleau. She graduated from Darlington High School and continued with her education at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. There she met the late Richard William Schmidt and on February 4, 1956 they were married at St. Paul's University Church in Madison. They resided for 17 years in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin where they both were teachers at St. Anthony's Catholic School. Between the years of 1973 to 1982 the family lived in Schofield and Sun Prairie, WI and in Ft. Collins, CO where Barb continued to teach in Catholic Schools systems. In 1985, Barb and Dick had a lifelong dream realized when they were employed as teachers in Brazil at the Americana Escola de Belo Horizonte. Barb taught for 7 years at the Brazilian school before she returned to the United States to reside in Sun Prairie, WI. Once she retired from teaching she continued to serve her community as a Math and Reading Tutor, Activities Director at a local Nursing home and a Special Needs aide in the Middleton School System. When she moved into the Colonial View Senior Living Apartments she continued to serve on several committees and was a loyal friend to all.
Barbara was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and extraordinary teacher. She will be especially remembered for her gift of drawing, painting and her extensive knowledge of football...She loved the game!
Survivors include Gretchen (Steven) Eckes of Maple Grove, MN; Will (MariAnn) Schmidt of Chesterfield, VA; Marta (Brian) Blasczyk of DeForest; Maggie (Kevin) Dahmen of Sun Prairie; Kurt (Laure) Schmidt of Sun Prairie; Jon (Carren) Schmidt of Verona; 19 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; brother, William (Darlene) Bordeleau of Germantown; sister-in-law, Arlene Schmidt of Sun Prairie; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friends at the View.
Cress Funeral Home is serving the family, and a memorial service and private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions in Barbara's name are welcome to the Dane County Humane Society or a Catholic Charity of choice.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Father Pat Wendler for his support and comfort to Barbara and the family during her final days. And thank you to all of the nurses and staff at Meriter Hospital, Heartland Hospice and Columbus Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care they provided to Barbara and the family.