Jill M. Schneiter, 72, of Fremont, WI (formerly of Mayville) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, July 28, 2023.
A funeral service will take place on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 5:00 pm at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Road, Beaver Dam, WI with Pastor Traci Maass, presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home starting at 3:00 pm until time of the service.
Jill Marie Schultz was born on January 2, 1951, the oldest of 3 girls, to David and Juanita (Richardson) Schultz in Beaver Dam, WI. Jill was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mayville where she was baptized and confirmed. After graduating from Mayville High School in 1969, Jill married and to this union 3 children – Ryan Jr., Brett and Schelagh were born. Jill would later go on to attend Moraine Park, receiving a degree in cosmetology.
Jill grew up in Mayville, WI, where she also continued to raise her children and following another marriage, she added two more stepsons, Cory and Mark. Jill was a local business owner and operated several beauty salons in the area, including Jill’s Hairport, and Riverside Fitness and Hairport. Jill was always an advocate for Mayville and its businesses, and was instrumental in the Main Street Mayville organization. She later took on the role of Main Street Manager, and was responsible for marketing and promotion of the downtown businesses. During her tenure, some of her accomplishments included the Billie and Brownie promotion, founder and organizer of the Mayville Holiday Parade and being a dedicated Audubon Days committee member.
Jill would later marry Wilbert (Bill) Schneiter in 2000, where she would add another 3 step children Melissa, James and Jesse. In that same year, Jill and Bill decided to take on a big adventure and purchased Gala Resort and Campgrounds in Fremont, WI. They both loved the beautiful Wolf River and surrounding area, where they truly found a place they called home. They spent many years meeting new friends and working hard to build the successful business Gala Resort remains today. Jill and Bill always understood the importance of family support and this was never more realized than with Bill’s untimely death in 2015. Schelagh and grand-daughters, Ashley, Chloe & Erynne have been instrumental in keeping operations going, while all of Jill’s family has pitched in at Gala at some time and in some capacity, to keep Gala Resort a favored restaurant with an award winning fish fry, campground, hangout, live music and boating destination on the river.
Jill was an active and avid member of the WRA (Wisconsin Restaurant Association) board holding various offices, received a Big Four Chapter Hero Award in 2019 and was also named WRA Big Four Outstanding Restauranteur of the Year in 2016. She continued her support of local business and groups serving as a board member and past president for the Fremont Chamber, ownership of Friends of Fremont, River Days committees and local snowmobile club.
Jill, like her late husband Bill, was an avid Packers fan, loved the outdoors, and being on or close to the water. When Wisconsin winters made it difficult to enjoy boating, they would travel south and spend several winter months in South Padre TX, with boat and their beloved dogs, Millie and Lady in tow.
Jill loved her family and was especially fond of spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always planning family gatherings or trips, Jill was quick to host yearly Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. In recent years, holiday family getaways included trips to The Dells, Lake Alice and Door County where there were weekends spent laughing, reminiscing, cooking, playing card games (she loved a good game of Sheepshead), singing karaoke and enjoying having the family together.
Jill always enjoyed traveling both domestic and abroad, and in June of this year, she traveled to Sedona, AZ, for the destination wedding of her oldest granddaughter, Ashley and her new husband Austin while also seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. With new travel plans and upcoming family events on the calendar, Jill was looking forward to spending time with her family and friends and especially with her newest great grandson Benton. Jill inspired many fond memories and traditions that will be greatly missed as will her keen sense of humor (and sass), knowledge, work ethic, cooking, monthly girl’s dinners, trips to the Fireside, attending grandchildren’s sports, school and music events, trips to Las Vegas with her dear friend Sandy, and her unconditional love of family and many friends.
Jill is survived by her Mother, Juanita Schultz, Father in law, James Schneiter, Children, Ryan (Julie) Schroeder, Brett (Kim) Schroeder, Schelagh (George) Dehler, Melissa Schneiter, Jesse (Calli) Schneiter, Mark (Amy) Broetzmann. Grandchildren, Ryan (Brenda) Schroeder, Lukas & Edwyn Schroeder, Corbin & Carly Schroeder, Jason (Liz) Kline, Brandon & Katie Kline, Ashley (Austin) Huntley, Chloe (Bronson) Dittmann, Erynne Dehler, Lacy & Cami Broetzmann, Bryn & Paige Broetzmann, Ruby, Sophie & Elizabeth Schneiter, Charlotte, Penelope & Eleanor Schneiter. Great Grandchildren, Arianna Kline & Benton Dittmann. Siblings, Patti (Jim) Schegetz and Jana (Steve) Bachhuber, sister in law, Bev (Jeff) Kahlhamer , brother in law, Bob (Carey) Schneiter and a host of nieces and nephews.
Jill was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert (Bill) Schneiter, her father, David Schultz, stepsons, Cory Broetzmann and James (JB) Schneiter, mother in law, Marjorie Schneiter, sister in law, Karen Vorlob, brother in law Jerome Vorlob.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations made in Jill’s name to WRA Education Foundation Schroeder Family Scholarship Endowment supporting culinary and hospitality students in Wisconsin.
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