Marlene Schmitz

Marlene Joan (Argall) Schmitz, age 78, of Platteville was born to eternal life on May 21, 2016 following a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born in Mineral Point on Nov 4, 1937 to Homer and Lillian Argall. Marlene graduated from Mineral Point High school in 1955 and from cosmetology school in 1956. On June 15, 1957 she was married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mineral Point to her high school sweetheart, Joseph Schmitz. She worked for several years as a beautician and in 1973 started work at the Platteville Telephone Company. After 20 years she took early retirement and went to work part time for Pioneer Property Management. After many years of camping and boating with friends and family, Joe and Marlene setup a permanent camper at Lake Joy where they spent 16 wonderful summers and for the past 20 years they have ‘snow-birded' between their homes in Wisconsin and Florida.

Marlene is survived by her loving and supportive husband of 59 years, Joseph Schmitz, daughter Wanda (Gerard Dunn) Behling of Madison, son Jay Schmitz of Middleburg, Florida and her three grandchildren Jacob, Sheila and Jeffrey Behling who were the light of her life. She is also survived by brothers Larry (Mary Faith) Argall and Wayne (Linda) Argall of Mineral Point, Brothers in law John(Mary) Schmitz of Rockford, Bill (Barb) Schmitz, sisters in law Janice Pittz, Helen Schmitz and Marion Schmitz all of Mineral Point as well as many loving nieces, nephews and many, many good friends.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, three infant babies, sister and brother in law Marilyn and Bernard Schmitz, sister in law and niece Marilyn and Kathy Argall, Kathleen and Pat Nicholson, Margaret Schmitz and Gary and Carol Jean, brothers in law Ralph Pittz, Don, Laverne and Kenneth Schmitz, and Stan Nicholson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville, where a parish rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m.. Father Faustino Ruiz and Deacon Bill Bussan will concelebrate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville, at a later date. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Marlene's name to St. Mary's Catholic Church or the cancer patient support group of your choice. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Marlene's family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of St. Croix Hospice for making her final days so comfortable and neighbor Judy O'Neill for always being there to help out.

Marlene was dedicated to her family, her faith and her friends and left this parting message.

To my children:
Be not sorrowful that I am gone
And my earthly life is done.
Be not sad I passed away,
For in you, my children, I live each day.
There is a little of me in all of you.
In each new one I live anew.
So you see, I'll never be really gone,
As long as there are children to carry on.
I've had my share of love, sorrow and strife.
I have lived a full and fruitful life.
So do not mourn, and do not weep
For I have earned this peaceful sleep.
-Mother