Johanna Schmidt

Johanna Marie (Nee Talsma) Schmidt, 88, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011.She will be greatly missed by her children, Thomas (Lynn) Schmidt, Madison, Wis., Marsha Schmidt (Dr. James Novotny), West Salem, Wis., and Patricia Schmidt, New Berlin, Wis.; her grandchildren, Megan (Schmidt) Hiestand (Jason), Madison, Benjamin Schmidt (Alison Zmud), Missoula, Mont., Rebecca Kavoussi (Erich Koerner) Seattle, Wash., Nadia Novotny, Madison, and Nikolas Novotny, La Crosse, Wis.; and her great-granddaughter, Amara Koerner, Seattle. She was also loved by nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.Johanna was born in Friesland, Wis., to John and Martha (Cupery) Talsma.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frederick A. Schmidt; and sisters, Dorothy (Talsma Leystra) Reddeman, Pearl Talsma, and Suzanne (Talsma) Petersen.Johanna loved participating in activities like golf, ceramics, bridge, and orchestra and she loved kitties and spending time with her family. Her home was always lovely and welcoming, and she was an exceptional seamstress and practitioner of needle arts. She will be remembered as a classy and dignified lady with a glimmer of humor in her eye, an easy laugh, and a calming presence. Johanna spent the last years of her life living close to her children and caring for her husband Frederick, who passed away in June. She will be remembered for her beautiful radiant smile.She was taken from us too soon, but not before she laughed at the antics of her great-granddaughter, Amara, attended the weddings of all her married grandchildren, took pleasure in the beauty of a butterfly that alighted on her arm on a lovely Wisconsin day, saw the leaves change color, spent relaxing days with each of her children, and planned the travels she would take.A 1 p.m. visitation and 2 p.m. memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 28, at the Krause Funeral Home, 12401 W. National Ave., New Berlin, Wis.The family is grateful for the exceptional care provided by the staff at the Aurora VNA Zilber Family Hospice during Johanna's final months. Memorials to that organization may be sent to 1155 Honey Creek Pkwy., Wauwatosa, Wis. 53213, or to the charitable organization of your choice.