Claudia Leafy (Schmidt) Banker
Life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
Claudia Leafy (Schmidt) Banker, 73, of Seymour, WI, passed away on July 19, 2023 with her family by her side after a short illness.
Claudia was born on March 13, 1950 to Ethel (Linquist) and Leonard "Lenny" Schmidt. They lived with their little "Cookie" in New Holstein, WI until moving to Seymour, where she resided most of her life. Claudia graduated from Seymour High School in 1968 and attended Gale Institute in Minneapolis. Upon graduating, she returned home to marry her high school sweetheart and husband of 52 years, Lawrence "Larry" Banker. Together, they raised three children: Lisa, Kathlina (Katie) and David.
While being a mother was her favorite job, Claudia also worked at Fort Howard, ran an in-home daycare, and spent over twenty years at Kohl's Department store at Green Bay West. She was a Girl Scout troop leader for many years and was a second mom to all the neighborhood kids.
In 2008, she earned a new title- Nana. Claudia loved her grandchildren fiercely. She relished hearing their latest exploits, watching them participate in their activities, and just being in their presence. They will remember her for her sweet nature, tender hugs, sacks of presents, and never-ending supply of candy.
Claudia was a homebody who loved to sit in her comfortable chair while watching the kids play or getting engrossed in her favorite TV shows. She enjoyed tending to her garden and flowers and took great pride in her delicious, top secret pickle recipe. You knew you were special if she gifted you a jar of them. Her chocolate chip cookies were legendary and everyone loved her K-bars.
Her favorite reason to leave the house was to have lunch with her Kohl's ladies. She truly treasured the friendships she made over the years.
Claudia is survived by her husband, Larry; children: Lisa (Matt Stocker), Katie (special friend, Aaron Schuh), and David (Kelli) Banker; and her beloved grandchildren: Alexandra (Alex) and Bennett Stocker, Lane and Ulrich Johnson, and Jackson and Jordan Banker. She is further survived by her brothers: Jim (Joyce) Schmidt of Peterbourough, NH and Dave (Jolene) Schmidt of Seymour and countless in-laws, nieces, and nephews who adored their Aunt Cookie.
Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and Lenny; and her in-laws, Helen and Ben Banker.
Claudia will be deeply missed by all those that she's left behind. Our hearts are so broken by this unexpected loss. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.
Life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. Until we see you again.
The world Claudia knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
Be the first to share a memory
No account needed. Have one? Sign in
Help manage Claudia's memorial
Family members and close friends can help add photos, stories and moments from Claudia's life. Ask the family to add you.
Sign in to ask