James Arthur "Jim" Schmitt

JAMES ARTHUR  “Jim” SCHMITT, 96, of Fort Atkinson passed away peacefully at Reena Senior Living on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

He was born on June 9, 1929 in Stetsonville, Wisconsin to William and Susan (Vogt) Schmitt.  He spent his early years in Stetsonville, joined the U.S. Army in 1951 during the Korean Conflict where he specialized in heavy artillery until 1953. He then moved to Fort Atkinson where he married Margery Ann Schroeder on June 19, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Jim worked at Jones Dairy Farm for many years, and owned and operated Jim’s Key Shop in Fort Atkinson for over 40 years.  He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Father Alfred Endres Knights of Columbus Council #3396, Ave Maria Assembly 4th Degree K of C and the 4th Degree Honor Guard.  Jim was also a member of the Fort Atkinson American Legion Post #166.

He is survived by his children, Debra (Jon) Dralle of Mansfield, Tx, Suzanne “Sue” (Kevin) Marshall of Fort Atkinson, WI and Jean (John) Hammer of Edgerton, WI; grandchildren Jonathan (Jen) Prusansky of Arlington, TX, Elizabeth (Jake) Godfrey of Midlothian, TX, Adam (Molly) Marshall of Madison, WI, Kelsey (Chris) Bahr of Omro, WI, Julie (PJ) Ferstl of Beaver Dam, WI, Amanda (Matt) Cheek of Fort Atkinson, Jared (Kristen) Hammer of Edgerton, Jenna (Nick) Hesse of Clintonville, WI, and Jordan (Kelsi) Hammer of Watertown, WI; great-grandchildren Jake Joely, Jaxson Godfrey, William Prusansky, Charlie, Winnie, Addie & Lollie Cheek, Hayden Bahr, Maxwell Marshall, Maddy, Lilly, Sawyer, Abby, Adler, Tucker, Graceyn and Sadeymae Hammer, Mallory Ferstl, Warren and Levi Hesse, Renleigh and Reverie Hammer; sisters-in-law Delores Schmitt, Fran Schroeder, Mary (John) Schroeder-Trainer and Judy Lehman; brother and sister-in-law Jim and Linda Schroeder as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Margie; his parents, mother and father-in-law Carl and Aggie Schroeder; siblings William (Ruth) Schmitt, Norman (Iva) Schmitt, Franklin Schmitt and Marie Schmitt; brothers-in-law Edward Schroeder, Loren Schroeder and Thomas Lehman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 AM until time of service.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Fort Atkinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Rainbow Community Care.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful care Jim received at Reena Senior Living the past few years he resided there.  He was treated like family.  Family would also like to thank the nurses and staff at Rainbow Community Care for the special care they gave to Jim the past few weeks.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Fort Atkinson is serving the family. Send condolences to www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.