Nancy Lee Schmitz

Nancy Lee Schmitz, born August 25, 1943, in Harrison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at the age of 82 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her daughters as she left this world to be reunited with her high school sweetheart and husband of 61 years, Lawrence Schmitz.

Her greatest legacy was the close and loving family she built. Nancy was the devoted mother and steadfast friend her three daughters could have hoped for. She embraced her sons-in-law as her own and filled their home with love, loyalty, and laughter. Married to Larry on August 15, 1964, she supported him through a career that required frequent travel while creating a warm, stable home for their family.

Nancy was actively involved in her daughters’ lives, coaching cheerleading, leading Girl Scouts, and participating in countless school activities. She later became a cherished grandmother, faithfully cheering from the bleachers at her grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, and plays, and in recent years she delighted in her great-grandchildren. A natural listener with a gift for empathy, she formed deep friendships through bridge clubs, golf leagues, and her community. She was known for offering thoughtful advice, sharing humor, and surprising neighbors with homemade treats and gourmet muffins.

Nancy enjoyed golf, bridge, good food, travel, cheering for her favorite golfers and the Green Bay Packers alongside Larry, and spending time with friends and family. In her later years she poured her artistic talents into creating thousands of handmade cards for children with cancer, donating them to Project Angel Hugs in Plymouth. Her faith remained a quiet anchor throughout her life, and she trusted that loved ones would one day be reunited.

Nancy is survived by her daughters Miki Wise (Joe), Renee Koch (Paul), and Amy Schmitz; her grandchildren Maxwell Frechette, James Wise (Dani), Marcus Wise (Alyssa), and Delaney Koch; her great-grandchildren Lucas, Violet, Beckham, Roman, and Callahan; and her siblings Tony Noordyk (Freddie), Reta Klemme, Virg Noordyk (Gale), and Dan Noordyk (Dale), along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry Schmitz, her parents Anton and Olieda Noordyk, her sister Jackie Noordyk, and her brother-in-law Jerry Klemme.