Donald Charles Schmit

Donald Charles Schmit, beloved brother, uncle, farmer, and friend passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI.Born on December 1, 1954, to Leo and Norma (Peters) Schmit. He grew up on the family farm where he loved the land and the animals.Don graduated from Wa-basha-Kellogg High School – Class of 1974. After high school, Don worked for Jim Roemer Construction and lat-er joined the family farming business known as Sky View Ranch on Wabasha Hill with brothers, Bill, Leo, and Joe.Don enjoyed hunting, going on many Alaskan fishing trips, and spending time with family, especially the younger family members. Most morn-ings, Don could be found having breakfast with friends at the café. He loved to talk farming, cattle, crops, and John Deere equipment. Don liked taking his dog and loyal companion, Bristol, for a ride in the Gator around the farm to check the crops.Don is survived by brothers, Jim (Marsha), Bill (Rose), John “Buck”, Leo (Penny), Joe (Sue); sister, Barb (Paul) Heins and sister-in-law, Lori Schmit. He had 15 nieces and nephews and 23 great nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Norma (Peters) Schmit, and stepmother, Clara (Larson) Schmit; as well as brothers, Allan Schmit, Robert Schmit; sister, Shirley Funke; brother-in-law, Jack Funke; sister-in-law, Judy Schmit and nephew, Darron Schmit.A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wabasha VFW. A private gravesite burial will be on Monday, June 2, 2025, at St Felix Cemetery, Wabasha.True to Don’s nature, he was helpful to others right up to the end. Two individuals will benefit from the donation of his corneas. The Lions Eye Bank wants to thank Don for this generous donation.Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com