Jean Ellen Schmahl

Jean E. Schmahl, 90 of Sheboygan passed away peacefully at St. Nicholas Hospital on March 16, 2026 after a brief illness. She was born in Sheboygan on August 24, 1935 to Harold and Alma (Jurk) Traas. She attended Mapledale School and graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1953. On December 26, 1953 she was united in marriage to Donald Schmahl. She worked at Wigwam Mills for a while after marriage, but later decided it was best to stay home to raise her three boys and help her parents on the farm. With the boys getting older and the downsizing of her parents’ farm, she began working at Waldheim Nurseries in the 1970’s and stayed there through the late 1980’s. Shortly afterwards she started working part time at Randall’s Frozen Custard and continued working there until fully retiring in 2002.

Jean loved social events, notably holidays, her birthday club, weddings and any gathering with family, friends or neighbors. She also loved the Packers, Badgers and Cubs. She and husband Donald attended many Packer games and usually made an annual trip to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs. After Donald retired, they spent March in Arizona to escape the winter and spend time with family and friends and see the Cubs in spring training. She also loved dogs and had one for most of her life. In more recent years, she really enjoyed spending time with her grand dogs. Jean was a strong woman. She held it together emotionally while caring for Donald and son Jeff near the end of their lives. She went through a lot physically as well. She broke her hip at 72 and had open-heart surgery at 77. She was back up both times after rehab as if nothing happened. At 85 she fell at home and broke both legs above the knee. After 4 months of rehab, she was back home living alone, driving and getting around with the aid of a walker. She even fully recovered from hernia surgery 7 months ago, just before her 90th birthday.

Her family would like to thank the staff at St Nicholas Hospital for taking care of Jean through her final days and offering emotional support to family and friends. Her family would also like to express heartfelt thanks to helpful neighbors Ronald and Sue Dexheimer and Bill Gehrig for providing support and friendship which allowed her to spend her final years living in her home.

Jean is survived by sons Rick (Linda) Schmahl of Cable, WI and Jim (Suzanne) Schmahl of Monona, WI; grandchildren Brittany Mackey (Kevin) of Wasilla, AK and Dylan Gaier of Bend, OR; great grandchildren Wally and Bobby Mackey; sister Marilyn Daane of Sheboygan and sister-in-law Carol Hecker of Random Lake, WI; and many nieces and nephews of three generations.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, son Jeff Schmahl, brothers-in-law Alvin Schmahl (Alverda), Kenneth Schmahl (Lora), LeRoy Schmahl (Delores), Ellwood Schmahl (JoAnn), Bernard (Pearl) Schetter, Art Hecker, and Glenn Daane.

A memorial gathering for the celebration of Jean’s life will be held on Friday May 15, 2026 at Town & Country Restaurant, W1943 County Rd J in Sheboygan, from 12:00-3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in the name of Jean Schmahl.