Francis “Butch” A. Schiedemeyer

Butch was born October 15, 1924 at the family home in LeRoy, Wisconsin.  He was the fourth child of Arthur and Marie Schiedemeyer.  Eight more children were to follow for a total of twelve (7 boys and 5 girls)

He attended kindergarten and first grade at a public school.  Second and third grade (1932 and 1933) at a Catholic school where it was detected he had an eye problem.  They took him to an eye doctor in Fond du Lac.  Doctors determined that he had contacted scarlet fever and measles at the same time when he was young.  They believe this caused the poor eye sight.  In 1934 he was sent to the Wisconsin School for the Visually Impaired in Janesville, WI.  From fourth grade to his graduation on June 6, 1944 he learned how to prepare for being blind.  He received certificates for making baskets (1939) for weaving (1940) woodworking (1940) caning chairs (1942) and broom making in (1944).

The family moved to Milwaukee in 1937.  Butch went totally blind in 1944.  At that time we had moved to 2^nd and Ring Streets.  The garage was converted into a woodworking shop in 1946.  There he made several wood projects, such as bird houses, bird feeders, church kneelers, wooden chess boards and many more items. He even made kneeling pads for the Milwaukee Braves in 1954.

He was an avid card player, always took his Braille cards with him, just in case. He belonged to the Milwaukee Blind Bowling League for many years.  In 1956 their team known as Butch’s Blind Bowlers went to a tournament in Louisville, Kentucky they came in 2^nd place.  That was one of many tournaments that he attended.  Edee drove.

He met Edee in 1949 and married her June 18, 1960.  Edee died Jan. 17, 2002.  They had a food service concession stand at the Milwaukee Court House, which served everything, even hard boiled eggs, for 17 years.  They retired in 1980.  Butch continued doing woodworking in his basement at his house on 84^th street.

Butch was very active in the Badger Home for the Blind.  He was Chairman of games for their annual picnics.  In 1963 and 1964 he was on the committee for the future new Badger Home approval.  He had a Braille blue print of the home.  He was also the Chairman of the Associate Building Committee.  The new facility was completed in 1967.

As you noticed, Butch is very gifted with his hands and great mind and truly a gift to mankind.  He makes our family so very proud.

Vigil at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI, on Thursday January 19, 2017, from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM. Visitation at St. Margaret Mary Catholic church, 3970 North 92nd Street, Friday January 20, 2017. From 10:00 AM-11:00 AM. Service to follow at 11:00 AM.

If desired, memorials can be made to Vision Forward, 912 North Hawley Road,  Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53213.