On Wednesday, June 25, the Fennimore community and surrounding areas gathered to celebrate what would have been Judd Schmitz’s 11th birthday. Many attendees wore “Live Like Judd” t-shirts in his favorite colors: blue, orange, and black, in remembrance of Judd, a Fennimore Elementary School fourth-grader who unexpectedly passed away in May.
On this night, at Oakwood Park, Judd’s schoolmates played baseball and softball. Between Wednesday’s games, there was a pause to wish Judd a “Happy Heavenly Birthday.” His parents, LeeAnn and Jon Schmitz, describe Judd as “loving, kind, humble, charismatic, brave, and just absolutely perfect. “Judd was wise beyond his years and we often told him he was an old soul.”
Judd loved all sports, especially wrestling and football, dedicating himself fully to them. “As great of an athlete as Judd was, he was an even better person” his parents noted, “Judd was always going from the minute he woke up to when he went to bed,” emphasizing that he approached everything with enthusiasm and commitment, seizing each day and making every opportunity count.
Judd loved fiercely - his parents, big sister, Wriglee, extended family, and friends. “He ended EVERY phone call we had with him with, ‘bye, love you,’” which as any parent will tell you, is more than any words can describe. “We miss him so much, he was our bright light. He made the world a better place.”
Family friend, Natalie Tollefson, joined by the Fennimore 3rd/4th grade little leaguers/Judd’s friends, the Boscobel 3rd/4th grade little leaguers (which were also his friends/tackle football teammates) and Wriglee’s teammates, thanked the community for their support, before turning it over to LeeAnn, Jon, and Wriglee. LeeAnn also expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “
Aunt Morgan” Beinborn echoed the sentiments about Judd, followed by a heartfelt poem written and read by Judd’s grandma, Susie Beinborn, who fondly remembered Judd as a kind, loving, a sports enthusiast and hoped he had “Culver’s and fireworks in Heaven.” Morgan then led a prayer, and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday.” LeeAnn, Jon, and Wriglee released balloons tied to Judd’s football cleat, wrestling shoe, and sandal, and as they floated into the sky, Jon exclaimed, “Play Ball,” signaling Wriglee and her teammates to take the field.
The game ended in a 5-5 tie, in the 5th inning, (which 5 is Judd’s favorite number) and a fireworks show, concluded Judd’s Heavenly Birthday celebration. “We always celebrated Judd’s birthday with family on the 4th of July and for several of those years, Judd always thought the 4th of July fireworks were for his birthday. Funded by generous donations from community members, these fireworks were for Judd!”
Jon, LeeAnn, Wriglee and their families are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support they have received from family, friends and communities and want to express “deep thanks to all for the Live Like Judd apparel orders, the Live Like Judd birthday celebration, fireworks, ice cream, Champ Camp, messages, calls, hugs, words of encouragement, Judd stories…we can’t thank you all enough.”
