John (Jack) Schoemer, Lakeland’s director of human resources for the past decade, passed away Sept. 15 after a courageous three year battle with cancer.
Joe Botana, Lakeland’s vice president of finance, and one of Schoemer’s best friends, said Schoemer was likely one of the first people many of Lakeland’s current employees met at the college.
“One of the amazing things was that, as he fought this thing, particularly last year when it wasn’t going well, he just wouldn’t give up,” said Botana. “He would come into work and say, ‘I’m doing fine,’ even though you could tell he wasn’t. He was really suffering. It was hard for him to walk. It was hard for him to do the things he needed to do. He was just trusting God and knowing that he would do what he needed to do to make sure the cancer didn’t win because he didn’t fight back.”
Shortly after Schoemer was hired, he worked with human resources directors from other private colleges in Wisconsin to develop a joint, cost-saving benefits package that employees from all the colleges, including Lakeland, are still covered by today. Schoemer was in charge of employee leaving and hiring processes, disciplinary issues, unemployment, and all other human resources-related services at Lakeland since his hiring.
Shikara Beaudoin, manager of human resources, has worked with Schoemer since she was hired in 2005. She said Schoemer’s condition forced him to go on an extended leave of absence last fall, and when he returned last spring, Lakeland presented him with a framed mission statement signed by Lakeland employees.
“His first day back we had this gift to give him and he started tearing up,” Beaudoin said. “He was just overjoyed. It really touched him. He was an amazing man, truly amazing. He’s one of those people that if you ever met him, you would be so thankful he’s in your life.”
Botana was a pallbearer at Schoemer’s funeral, along with IT Director Larry Marcus, V.P. of Student Development Nate Dehne, and former V.P. of the Kellett School Allan Mitchler.
The four developed a close bond with Schoemer over the years. They worked together often at Lakeland, and were all huge fans of “The Godfather” films. The group, christened by Schoemer as “The Commission,” hung out whenever they could, talking, eating Italian food, drinking red wine, and, of course, watching “The Godfather.”
“It was the most unstressful time,” Marcus said, adding that Schoemer was one of the strongest people he’s ever met. “You’re stuffing yourself with good food. You’re joking and laughing about all these great stories. All of us are pretty well-versed with the movie. One time I brought a wine bottle from the director’s vineyard. Sometimes somebody dressed up in a suit to look mafia-like. We went all out. We took our mob movies seriously.”
Dehne called Schoemer a “kind-hearted and self-giving” person, and said he cherishes his time with “The Commission.”
“When you get around your closest friends there’s just a calm. That’s what I remember about the five of us being together,” Dehne said.
In his eulogy, Mitchler stated that he will remember one lesson Schoemer taught him: to appreciate the “flip sides” – the less obvious aspects – of situations, stories, and people. Mitchler spoke about Schoemer’s “flip sides”: while he was valued in the Lakeland community, Schoemer also valued the Lakeland community, and showed it by turning the fall President’s Picnic into an event with a carnival atmosphere; he shared good times with “The Commission,” but also stood by them in trying times; his body lost a battle to cancer, but his never-surrendering spirit won the war.
Before arriving at Lakeland, Schoemer worked in Human Resources at Armira Leather and Tecumseh Products. Schoemer served in many positions for the local chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) teaching human resources certification classes.
Schoemer was instrumental in starting the Sheboygan Softball Association and was inducted into the SSA Hall of Fame as a player, coach, and administrator.
Jack is survived by his loving wife Bonnie, daughters Susan (Derek) Murphy of Germantown, Barbara (Brian) Hamann of Sheboygan and Michael (Tracy) Schoemer of Cedarburg; his beloved grandchildren Trevor and Rachael Murphy, Lauren and Nathan Hamann, Julie and Emily Roznik and a grandson expected in November. He is further survived by his brothers Tom (Mary) Schoemer, Paul (Anne) Schoemer, Ruth (Joe) Ross and Lou (Wes) Henning; nieces and nephews; and all of his Lakeland friends.