Charlene M. Schmid, age 89, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at Heartsong in Belleville. Charlene was born to Alvie and Elfa Eichelkraut in the family farm home at the top of the hill overlooking Paoli, WI, on September 29, 1926.

She only spoke Swiss that first day of school at the Paoli school, but learned English and graduated from there, and then four years later from Verona High School in 1944. She married Delmer F. Schmid on November 2, 1946, at the "Swiss church" (mom's words) in Paoli, where she has been a long-time member of the church and guild. They had two children, Chardel and Dennis. She and Delmer dairy farmed by Paoli, between Mt. Vernon and Verona before moving to a farmette north of Dayton, east of Belleville. When not farming, mom was selling Dutchmaid clothing in people's homes, selling AFLAC policies and selling Furst McNess products-herself and the many farmer dealers under her. She broke many McNess sales records in her career. Best times were when she made meals for the farmer dealers as they came to get their products from the two semis parked by the Dayton and Basco houses. Mom enjoyed photography, music, old time dancing, fishing, bowling, traveling, playing Jass, cribbage, euchre and poker, purchasing lottery tickets and an occasional trip to the casino. Charlene's famous sour cream raisin pies went quickly wherever they showed up.

Charlene is survived by her children, Chardel (Dick) Johnston, Middleton, WI, and Dennis Schmid, Monticello, IA. She is further survived by grandchildren, David Schmid, Cedar Falls, IA, Wayne (Eva) Johnston, Sarona, WI, and Randy (Anita) Schmid, Dodgeville, WI; and great-grandchildren, Emmit and Cassidy Johnston, Hunter and Levi Schmid. She is further survived by brothers, Alton (Frances) Eichelkraut and Harold (Rachel) Eichelkraut; sister-in-law, Esther Schmid; and brothers-in-law, Dick Fetherston and Wilbert Schmid; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Charlene was preceded in death by her husband, Delmer, in 2004; and her dear friend and companion of over 10 years, Bert Herfel, in late 2014.

We wish to especially thank Debbie and Steve Versnik, Justine Schmid, Esther Schmid, Barb Schwoerer, Dr. Lochner, the wonderfully loving people at Heartsong who cared for mom this past 13 months, the people at Home Health United, and the many who helped and assisted Charlene over the years. Everyone knew Charlene as a dear sweet lady.

Visitation was held at the Zwingli United Church of Christ-Paoli, 1338 County Road PB, Belleville, WI, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 24, 2016, followed by the funeral service at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Sara Rabe officiating. A fellowship luncheon followed in the church's basement. A private family burial service was be at the Verona Cemetery.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.