Paul A. Mittelsteadt

Paul Arden Mittelsteadt, age 90, of Fond du Lac, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at the SSM Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac. Born on June 13, 1932 in the town of Harris, WI, Paul enjoyed a rich and full life. An active and ambitious youth, Paul began working on the family farm early in life. He also served as a pinsetter in the Waupun bowling alley and as an attendant at the Fox Lake pool hall and bait shop. His favorite job, however, was accompanying the local veterinarian on his farm calls to treat cows and horses. He attended a nearby one room school and then Fox Lake High School where he was a 3-sport athlete exceling in 6-man football, basketball, and baseball. Following his graduation in 1950, Paul entered the military and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He flew as a crew member on both A-26 and B-29 aircraft and later served as a boom operator on KC-97 air refuelers. He married his wife Charlene (nee Schultz) on February 11, 1956 and was her devoted husband for 67 years. With his wife by his side, Paul led a life full of adventures. He and Charlene called Randolph (WI) and Rice Lake (WI) home before settling permanently in Fond du Lac in 1972. Many times, Paul stated that Charlene was “the best thing to ever happen to me.” His love for her was evident to all who met them. Most of his professional career was spent traveling the state of Wisconsin as an insurance claims adjuster. He also owned his own business, Mittelsteadt Claims and Consulting. In later years, Paul joined his wife in the field of residential care. Paul and Charlene built and opened Liberty House, an assisted living facility for senior citizens in Fond du Lac which they operated until their retirement. He indulged his passion for gardening in his later years working part-time for Hounsell’s Green House and Stuart’s Landscaping and also serving as the chief gardener at a local horse farm. His love of the outdoors was evident as he was an active gardener and sportsman his entire life. He spent countless hours in his garden raising delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers and was especially proud of his rose bushes. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many fishing excursions with his wife and family and his special fishing partner, mother-in-law Jeanette Schultz. He also enjoyed hunting deer, pheasant, ducks, geese, and even raccoons and devoted countless hours raising and caring for the many hunting dogs he owned. Paul also spent several years showing horses with his wife and youngest daughter. In addition to all these interests, Paul had a passion for sports, helping organize the basketball program at Faith Lutheran School and serving as one of their coaches for decades. In 2014, he was enshrined in the Lutheran Softball Hall of Fame for his contributions as one of the founders of Fond du Lac’s Lutheran Softball League, where he played and managed for many seasons. He sponsored several city league softball teams throughout the years and enjoyed bowling with his friends in the Lutheran Bowling League. He was a passionate fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, and especially the Wisconsin Badgers. Paul’s Christian faith was evident in his many years of service to his church, working as an usher and serving several terms on both the school board and church council at Faith Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. In later life, he and Charlene enjoyed attending Faith’s weekly Bible Study where they gathered with their many church friends. In retirement, Paul enjoyed travelling with his wife, especially to Florida, Texas, and Kansas to visit his children. A lover of good food (especially breakfast), Paul was a regular at Schreiner’s Restaurant for many years and enjoyed many good meals at the Hungry Bear Café in Bonduel. Paul is survived by his wife Charlene (nee Schultz), five children: Lori (Jeff) Barbeau, Sue (Rory) Groonwald, Paul (Joan) Mittelsteadt, Greg Mittelsteadt, and Faye Scolman. In addition, Paul served as Grampa to 8 grandchildren: Ashley, Zachary, and Benjamin (Mikayla) Groonwald, Erin and Zoe Barbeau, and Sophia, Sydney, and Sonya Scolman. He is further survived by his sisters-in law Margaret Mittelsteadt, Ardis (Carl) Grahn, and Bev (Dave) Dobbratz, many nieces and nephews, his “extra” sons, the Witt boys; Ryan, David, and Aaron, and many other friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Mittelsteadt, Sr, mother, Ella Ryan, brothers Theodore Jr (Carrie), Oscar (Beve), and Donald and sisters Elaine (Harry) Schleicher, Alice Cavanaugh, and Joyce (John) Zick. VISITATION: The family will greet friends from 10:00 – 12:00 PM, on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Faith Ev. Lutheran Church, 55 Prairie Road, Fond du Lac. SERVICE: Memorial services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Faith Ev. Lutheran Church, with Rev. David Haugly officiating. Inurnment to take place at a later date at Randolph Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. The family would like to extend special thanks to both SSM Home Hospice and to the staff of SSM Hospice House of Hope for the loving and attentive care they provided during Paul’s last months. Paul was a friend to all. His friendly smile and outgoing personality will be missed here but we take comfort that he now enjoys the eternal bliss of heaven, secure with his Savior, Jesus. Matthew 10:29-31 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Paul A. Mittelsteadt

June 13, 1932 - January 24, 2023