The Rev. Karl D. Schimpf of Mequon, Wisconsin, was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on November 30, 2016, at the age of 74. Karl was born on September 30, 1942, son of Karl G.W. Schimpf and Margaret Louis (Morlock) in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He attended Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia, and Earlham School of Religion in Indiana. Karl faithfully served three churches over 48 years of ministry: Mayfair Plymouth Church in Toledo, Ohio, from 1967-1974; First Congregational Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1974-1983; and North Shore Congregational Church in Fox Point, Wisconsin, from 1983-2015.
Karl was deeply rooted in the National Association of Congregational Churches and received the first ever scholarship from the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies in 1964. Throughout his ministry, he served as a keynote speaker, prayer service leader, executive board member and in 1993, he was the moderator for National Association Meeting in Portland, Maine. Karl was also involved with Kiwanis International from 1983-2000. Karl was a Master Mason and joined the York Rite in Toledo, Ohio. He transferred his masonic membership to Milwaukee and was a member of Freemasons Lodge #363. In 1985, he became a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Milwaukee, AASR, NMJ. He was coroneted a 33 Degree Mason and honorary member of the AASR, NMJ Supreme Council in 1996, and has served that organization as Grand Prior until his death. Karl was also a member of St. Wilfred Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, serving as Sovereign in 2015.
Karl is survived by the love of his life for 52 years, Dorothy Vene (Wolf) Schimpf, sons David (Becki), Mark (Shannon) and Chris. Grandchildren: K.C., Matthias, Sarah, Caitlin, Nathan, Noah, Lindsey, and Markie. Karl was preceded in death by his parents Karl G.W. Schimpf and Margaret Louise (Morlock) Schimpf, step-mother Genevieve (Kancer) Schimpf and brother-in-law Lynn Wolf.
Karl loved Easter, bird watching, reading, travel with his wife-especially the holy lands of Israel, Door County and South Padre Island. He took great pride in supporting all of his grandchildren’s events.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 6, from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10280 N. Port Washington Road in Mequon.
A Masonic Rose and Salt Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 7, at 12:30 p.m. at North Shore Congregational Church, 7330 North Santa Monica Boulevard, in Fox Point. This ceremony is open to the public.
Visitation at the church on Wednesday, December 7, will be from 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and a Celebration of Karl’s Life will follow at 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials to be contributed to North Shore Congregational Church, the Children’s Dyslexia Center-Milwaukee or Hosanna Industries, Inc., Rochester, Pennsylvania.
