Virginia (Baribeau) Schmitt, age 82, passed away on November 9, 2011 as the result ofinjuries received in an automobile accident. She was the 10th child born to the late Phillip and Rose (LaFreniere) Baribeau.
She grew up in Escanaba and was a 1948 graduate of Escanaba High School. In her early years, she was employed in the office first by Ludington Motors and then Delta Hardware. It was at Delta Hardware that she met Frank Wayne Schmitt. They were married on July 8, 1950. After their marriage, they bought a home in Ford River where they lived until 1970 when they moved to Rapid River. While in Ford River, her interests include collecting stamps and gardening. In 1969, she and Frank became co-owners of Schmitt Hardware in Rapid River, which they ran until their retirement in 1995. Virginia loved to golf and to go bowling; she participated in several bowling leagues over the years and was a former member of the Gladstone Golf Club. She had an aptitude for business and investment. She was always someone you could go to for sound advice. Her family was always important to her; her sisters were also her best friends. She enjoyed watching sports on TV, particularly golf. She was a fan of the Packers and the Tigers.
She was faithful in her church attendance and an active member of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. She was a member of the Marion Society, and was one of the starting members of the weekly rosary. She also was a regular member of the Bible Study classes, and was interested in the original timeline of the Bible study program.
Virginia is survived by her husband of 61 years, Frank Wayne Schmitt of Rapid River. She was the loving mother of Nancy (James) Kaulbach of Pewaukee, WI, Joan (Daniel) DeMay of Gladstone, David Schmitt of Rapid River, and Paul (Leanne) Schmitt of Iola, WI. She was the beloved grandmother of Rebecca (David) Gilligan of Waukesha, WI, Matthew and Peter Kaulbach of Pewaukee, WI, Amy DeMay of Gladstone, Samuel and Jacob Schmitt of Iola, WI, and great grandmother to Devin and Autumn Gilligan of Waukesha, WI. She is also survived by two sisters, Agnes Baribeau and Freda (Leo) Whitlow both of Escanaba and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her four brothers, Ernest, William, John and George Baribeau, and her sisters, Rose (Louis) Johnson, Violet (John) Meyer, Irene (Paul) Cole and Emma (Stephen) Clairmont.
Virginia
Anonymous
Wayne and Family:My sympathies with you. John Hebert called my brother Mike who called me. This picture reminds me so much of my Aunt Bernice. Amazing. Two very fine ladies. My thoughts are with you.
Tom McKie
Garland TX
I’m very truly sanded by the sudden loss. Virginia was a wonderful mother and grandmother; I can?t tell she has touched many people?s hearts. She will always be remembered by me and my prayers go out to my mother in Law Nancy Kaulbach and all family involved. She will be truly missed
David Gilligan
Waukesha WI
Paul & Family: My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Kathy (Rajala) Groleau
West Bend MI
I am so sorry for you loss. she will be missed. We conversed on the LaFreniere family history and compared notes. May you find peace in her faithfulness to her Faith and family God Bless, I am also a fellow Rapid River alumni.
Betty Petonquot LeMarble
Grand Ledge MI
Frank and Family,
Virginia was a special lady who will be greatly missed. I enjoyed our quick visit last October, catching up on how everyone was doing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Debbie Broeders Erkert
Glendale AZ