Matthew Norman Schmidt

Matthew “Matt” Norman Schmidt, 25, Green Bay, passed away unexpectedly as a result of an auto accident near Kearney, Nebraska on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 traveling home from San Diego. He was born in Sacramento, California on April 11, 1990 to Karl and Karen Schmidt. Matt was a 2008 graduate of Southwest High School and attended UW Stout before coming back to live in Green Bay. He was employed at Belmark for the last three and a half years where most recently he was a Production Pre Press Supervisor. In February, Matt was looking to further his walk with the Lord when he decided to have an extended visit with his cousin Annie and her fiancé Ryan, who were part of the Cru staff (Campus Crusade for Christ) in San Diego before going on a mission trip. He was on his way home to Wisconsin to spend a few days with his family before leaving on his six month discipleship training and mission trip to the Appalachians when the accident occurred. Matt was always there to make anyone smile, especially when someone had a heavy heart. He thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with family, running, fishing, golfing, watching the Packers, picking on his younger siblings, hunting, boating activities, listening to music, grilling out a juicy steak, hanging out at our cottage in Door County with his buds and family, and sleeping in way longer than mom would like. Matt had an adventurous soul. During his last 6 weeks in San Diego, he made a goal to have a new adventure every day, often taking on waves far too big for any Midwesterner, hiking mountains, snorkeling, and hanging out with his five roommates. He helped lead a Cru Bible study for high schoolers and often would spend an entire day reading his Bible at the beach. Everyone who had the pleasure to meet Matt during his short life knew he had a big heart. He was always there for anyone at any time, and was quick to give them everything he had. During his life, he was one to always give, and never to take. Matt radiated kindness wherever he went, having the ability to step in and help in any situation. As his final act of kindness here on Earth, Matt donated his organs so that 6 people could continue life on Earth and many more will benefit while his soul lives on in Heaven with his favorite cousin and partner in crime, David. Matt enjoyed attending Spring Lake Church on Sundays and had a passion to serve the youth in the community. He really enjoyed working with Young Life of Green Bay mentoring high schoolers. The last two years, his work schedule made it difficult to participate as much as he would have liked, but he still found time to head to camp to be a counselor, participate in the annual Young Life Glow Run, and set up a curling event for the organization. Survivors include his parents Karl and Karen (Bell) Schmidt; siblings Andrew and Sarah Schmidt; maternal grandparents Bruce and Carol (Harbridge) Bell; paternal grandparents Jerry and Pat (Schmidt) Westlund; aunts and uncles: Brenda Bell Pfohl (Warren), Betsy Bell Keppeler (Paul), Steve Schmidt (Donna), Paul Schmidt (Cindy), Peggy Schmidt Tomasek (Mark); cousins: Chris Pfohl (Brittney) and Dan Pfohl (Katie); Amy, Rachel, Annie Keppeler and her fiancé Ryan Miller; Karen Schmidt Dolman (Tripp), Michael and Laura Schmidt; Nicole Schmidt Pool (Jason) and Kelly Schmidt Peterson (Brian); Lee Tomasek (Audie) and Ben Tomasek and his fiancé, Mary Liss, Preston Pool, Vella Tomasek, Ezra and Levi Pfohl; his Nanny: Donna Trachte; beloved dogs, Buster and Clark. Matthew was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Norman Schmidt and cousin David Pfohl. Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave, De Pere, on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday at Spring Lake Church, 2240 Klondike Road, Green Bay from 9:00am until 10:45am. The Celebration of Matt’s life will follow at 11:00am with Pastor Jack Guerra officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers the family wishes to have donations made out to Young Life of Green Bay and David’s Refuge. The family would like to thank everyone, too numerous to mention, for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support and prayers. For the compassion and caring shown from the first responder at the scene of the crash, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Gibbon Vol. Fire Rescue Department, ER staff, Doctors, ICU staff, and the Advanced Life support Drivers of Good Samaritan Hospital, Nebraska Organ Recovery Organization, the community of Kearney and to the multiple doctors and staff throughout the United States helping the donor recipients.