Paul Friedrichsmeier

Paul Friedrichsmeier, “the Irishman”, passed away on August 22, 2022, at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.  Paul was born in Manitowoc, WI on August 21, 1950, the only child of Gustave and Nola O’Leary Friedrichsmeier and grew up in the Newton area.  He attended local schools and graduated in 1969 from Manitowoc Lincoln High School.  He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Newton, WI and was a long-time member of Fountain Park United Methodist Church, Sheboygan.

Despite Paul’s difficult teen years, his mother died when he was 12 years old, and his father died the year he graduated from high school, Paul looked fondly on his childhood and the fun he and his cousin, Ken O’Leary, had growing up together.  After his father’s death Paul moved to Sheboygan to live with his Uncle Bill (William) and Aunt Elizabeth Friedrichsmeier.  He then lived in various group homes and independent living arrangements under the care of Sheboygan County Social Services.  We thank Social Services for their care and attention. For the past four years he resided at the Waterford Assisted Living in Plymouth, WI.  Thank you to the staff of the Waterford.

Paul was a very kind and generous person who struggled with schizophrenia, trying hard to fit into a world that at times did not understand or accept him.  To those who accepted him, a sincere thank you.

He enjoyed his extended family of cousins, Ken and Helen Maurer of Sheboygan Falls, and Ken (and the late Linda) O’Leary of Valders often joining them and their families for holidays, family functions, or an overnight visit.  Paul enjoyed reading and read he did - especially historical and political books.  He would often cite historical facts in one breath and claim a failing memory and poor reading skills in the next.  He was a frequent patron of the Mead Public Library checking out these books, purchasing specific books to give to specific friends, and testing the patience of the library staff with his various requests.  A special thank you to Kim Dalhaimer for going the extra mile assisting Paul with so many of these requests.  Paul enjoyed visiting friends in Downtown Sheboygan.  He would visit John Arnst, John Plumb, his fellow Irishman, Mike O’Hara, and the late Chucky Ognacevic.  He frequented local restaurants enjoying cup after cup of coffee.  The waitstaff all knew his name and knew when his birthday and St. Patrick’s Day were approaching.  Paul also enjoyed talking on the phone – he was a prolific phone caller.  He would call you from his apartment, from his friends’ apartments, from church, from phone booths (when phone booths existed) and from wherever he found himself.  And he would call whenever and often.  His family often joked that he should have been a professional telemarketer specializing in early morning telemarketing.  And if Paul didn’t reach you, he was sure to leave you a filibuster of message or, if it was your birthday, a sweet but off-key happy birthday serenade.  And lastly, Paul really enjoyed his 8% Irish ancestry.  He loved reading about Ireland, talking about Ireland, touting his Irish heritage, and occasionally complaining about the Irish.  He was known by many as the Irishman - with a long German name.

Area survivors include Ken and Helen Maurer, Sheboygan Falls, Scott and Chrissy Maurer, Adell, and their children Nicole Maurer, Grafton, Adam and Alex Maurer, Plymouth, and Carly Maurer, Cedar Grove; Mark Maurer and Laura Docter, Manitowoc and their children, Isobel Dupor, Bayview, and Maxfield Docter Maurer (Paul's Godson), Manitowoc; Cheryl and Mark Majcen, Appleton and their children Sarah Painton, Neenah, and Ryan and Nina Majcen, Sun Prairie; and Ken O’Leary, Valders.  He is further survived by cousins, Inge Fürste, Erika Süllwald, and Paul Gerhard Friedrichsmeier, all of Bad Oeynhausen Germany and numerous other cousins and friends.

The family thanks the congregation of Fountain Park United Methodist Church, especially Ken and Eileen Bailey, Don Sorenson, and Reverend Warren Waddell for their kindness, understanding, and continuous welcoming of Paul.  Thank you to Melanie Hunt of Advocacy Programs for your care and assistance and to the committed staff at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice who made sure Paul’s final days were comfortable and dignified.  And a very special thank you to family member Chrissy Maurer.  Her guidance and care were appreciated by everyone…even, and especially so, by Paul.  Remember, what you do for the least of my brethren, you do unto me.

Services will be held on Sunday August 28th at 1:00 at Fountain Park United Methodist Church, 828 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan with Pastor Warren Waddell officiating.  Visitation will be held from noon to 1 PM.

He will be laid to rest next to his parents at Salem Ebenezer Cemetery, Newton.

(In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Paul’s name to the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, Sheboygan Mead Public Library, or Fountain Park United Methodist Church.)

Rest in peace dear Irishman, Ruhe in Frieden Irishman.  You will be missed!

Wenig Funeral Home – Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for more information and online condolences.