Colleen Ann (Ellis) Schmaltz

Colleen A. Schmaltz, age 88, of Rice Lake, WI & formerly of Springfield, SD died Friday, December 22nd, 2023 at Our House Assisted Living in Rice Lake.  She was born May 16th, 1935 to Earl & Lilly (Zulliger) Ellis in the Town of Maple Grove, WI.  She attended grade school at Hillsdale, WI & graduated from Barron High School in 1953.  On August 29th, 1955, she was married to Wendlen Schmaltz at Menomonie, WI.  She attended colleges at Stout State University in Menomonie, WI, University of South Dakota, Springfield, SD & graduated from Mount Marty College of Yankton, SD in 1969.  Colleen also completed graduate courses from the University of SD, SD State University, Augustana College & the University of California, Berkeley.  Colleen’s professional career included 2 years of teaching at St. Mary’s School for Indian Girls at Springfield, SD & her remaining teaching years at Springfield Public School, Bon Homme 4-2.  She retired from teaching in 1997.  She was also honored with being selected “Teacher of the Year” in 1997.  She treasured the retirement quilt made by her students.  In her retirement, Colleen enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, serving on the city Council & especially her grandchildren & great grandchildren.  She was also an active member of her church. 

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Wendlen on October 13th, 2009, 1 great grandchild & brother: Richard.  She is survived by her children Cynthia (Leodis) Green of Arkansas, Robert (Renee) Schmaltz of Nebraska, Dennis (Kathleen) Schmaltz of Rapid City, SD & Daniel (Nadine) Schmaltz of Rice Lake, WI, 11 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren who have all brought great joy to their grandparents, sisters: Patsy (Ronald) Glaser of Cameron & Nancy (Bernard) Kahl of Rice Lake, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 4th, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Haugen, WI with Father Joseph Kumar Mayakuntla officiating & interment following in Northern WI Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Spooner, WI.  Visitation will be held for the hour prior to mass at the church.  Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Cameron & Dallas, WI.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Colleen Ann (Ellis) Schmaltz, please visit our floral store.