Obituary of Arthur Oscar Schimke

Born to Gustav and Christina Schimke in Franklin, CA April 19, 1919, Arthur Oscar Schimke entered into rest on March 30, 2021. Art was raised farming with his family in the Lodi community. Art, even as a young man, was a skilled outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and trapping and became an expert snow skier. While working for the US Forest Service, Art was drafted into the US Army during WWII. He served in a special-forces unit of ski troops, the 10th Mountain Division. A platoon sergeant, Art served honorably in the Aleutian Islands and Northern Italy for the final push forcing the Nazis back over the Alps that led to Allied victory in Europe. His brave actions earned him two purple hearts and an honorable mention. Art married Christiana (Christel) in 1960 spending 50 happy years together; they were active members of Emanual Lutheran Church and later Grace Community Fellowship. Art enjoyed singing in the choir and for family and friends entertaining them with his piano, guitar, and accordion skills. An enthusiastic gardener, Art’s tomatoes are famous all over town and he is proud to have raised 50 plants in his garden the last year he was in his home! Art was a General Mills employee for 33 years and retired in1987. In retirement Art frequented the Village Coffee shop and continued to love the outdoors enjoying his cabin at Tamarack in Calaveras County where many Highway 4 locals know and love him. He was well-known for his youthful disposition, positive attitude, sense of humor, and story-telling skills. Art is preceded in death by 8 siblings, his wife Christiana Schimke (Sinz), and grandson, Hudson Kuehne. He is survived by Kurt Schimke, Marlene Schimke (Yoder), Scott Wilson, Christina Wilson (Schimke), John Schimke, Peter Sinz, and 7 grandchildren. A memorial will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)