Elvira “Vera” Schmidt

Elvira “Vera” Schmidt (nee Scheer) passed away peacefully in the early morning of Dec. 28, 2024, with loved ones by her side.

She was born in Grafton on July 3, 1925, to Frank and Edna Scheer and baptized at St Joseph’s Church in Grafton, where she remained a member her entire life of 99-1/2 years.

She married Chester P. Gramoll on Sept. 13, 1947, and they were married 26 years when he passed away in 1973.

Vera worked at Tecumseh Products in Grafton for 38 years until her retirement in 1990.  She spent most of her life in Grafton.

In January of 1991, she married Raymond W Schmidt. She then moved to Fredonia.

When living in Fredonia she made many friends and acquaintances, particularly the Grimm family, who she loved dearly. She and Ray enjoyed spending time at her vacation home in Crivitz, Wis., where they enjoyed many happy hours of fun, often with her brother, his wife, nephews and nieces.

Ray passed away in 2002.

Vera moved back to Grafton in 2016, where she adjusted to apartment life and looked forward to bingo and other fun activities with friends and neighbors.

In her younger days, Vera excelled at bowling. She belonged to the 600 club.  She won many trophies and appeared in news articles. One particular Christmas she delighted in gifting her trophies to her nephews and niece.

A favorite past time was word search puzzles.

Vera also spent many years volunteering at Heritage Nursing Home in Port Washington, where she made many friends, including close friends Julie and Melanie, who worked there as coordinators.

She had many special memories of traveling to the Fireside Theatre with Personalized Tours, and she built many friendships on those trips with whom she has remained in touch with over the years.  To be realistic, she made friends wherever she went and delighted in making others laugh.

Even up until her last week, Vera exercised almost daily on her stationary bicycle, 15 minutes at a time.

In addition to her husbands Chester Gramoll and Ray Schmidt, Vera was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Edna Scheer, brother Elroy Scheer and his wife Rita, niece Anne Scheer and nephew Francis Scheer and his wife Mary.

Vera is survived by her nephew Richard Scheer (wife Shirley), niece Susan Pokey (husband Steven), nephew Michael Scheer (wife Deborah), nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, stepchildren and their families, other relatives and many, many friends.

A special thank you to her favorite physician, Dr. Mark Fitzsimmons. Thank you to the nurses and CNAs at Aurora Medical Center ICU in Grafton, who took wonderful care of her and her family members in her final days.

A funeral service for Vera will take place on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grafton. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph’s Church in Grafton or a charity  of the donor’s choice would be appreciated.

Please see www.muellerfuneralhome.com for online condolences.