Harold N. "Shorty" Schmidt, 88, of West Bend, formerly of Kewaskum died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born April 25, 1923 in the Town of Kewaskum to the late Martin and Frances (nee Ruplinger) Schmidt and married Ruth E. Bohn on Oct. 19, 1946 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum.

Harold served in the U.S. Army. Following his discharge he became a master electrician and operated Schmidt Electric for 55 years.

Harold was a long-time resident of Kewaskum before moving to West Bend. He was an accomplished sheepshead player and enjoyed gardening. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved his yellow labs. Harold was known for his unique sense of humor.

He was a member of the Avenue of Giants Sportsman’s Club, the Robert G. Romaine post 384 American Legion in Kewaskum and a life-time member of the West Bend Lodge 1398 Loyal Order Of The Moose.

Harold is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth, four children: Diane Zalewski of Kewaskum, Jane (Gerald) Rettler of Campbellsport, Joyce (Robert) Bernhagen of Kewaskum and David (Karen) Schmidt of Hartford and his daughter-in-law Mary Cay Schmidt of West Bend. He is further survived by his seven grandchildren: Shawn (Scott) Zimmerman, Ben (Heather) Rettler, Andy (Sue) Rettler, Melissa (Ricky) Kratz, Craig Bernhagen, Anna Bernhagen and Nicole (Nick) Pari, nine great-grandchildren, his sister Myrtle Hanrahan, three sisters-in-law: Dorothy Schaefer-Mehring of West Bend, Iona (Wiley) Parrish of Murphysboro, Ill. and Therese Bohn of West Bend. Other survivors include nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Martin and Frances Schmidt, his son Leroy Schmidt, his son-inlaw John "Jack" Zalewski, and two brothers Walter and Lloyd Schmidt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum with Rev. Ed Kornath presiding. Burial will be in Holy Angels Cemetery in West Bend. Visitation will be Friday, at the church only from 3:30-6:15 p.m.

The Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family.

Online guestbook and condolences are available at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.