Beverly Jean Schinschke

Beverly Jean Schinschke (née Groskreutz), age 88, passed away on May 6, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by love, adventure, deep faith, and unwavering devotion to her family.

Beverly was born on July 22, 1937, in Rockfield, Illinois, to Linda and Arden Groskreutz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her parents; her son Richard Schinschke, Jr.; her grandson Nathan Heintz; her son-in-law Rodney Black; and her sister Barbara Zellmer; brothers-in-law Marlin Zellmer, Larry Kramer, Lynx Balch, and Jim Schinschke; sisters-in-law Judy Schinschke and Judy Groskreutz and grandson Paul Rivera. She is survived by her siblings Pat Kramer, Jim (Sheila) Groskreutz, Paul Groskreutz, Ron (Kathy) Groskreutz, and Linda (Charles) Balch and brother-in-law Bob (Chris) Schinschke.

She pursued her calling in nursing at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Milwaukee, graduating in 1958. The very next day, she married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Schinschke, with whom she shared 55 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they built a beautiful life rooted in a shared love of family, travel, and a strong foundation of faith that guided them through the years.

Bev and Dick made their home in Germantown, Wisconsin, where they raised their four children: Celeste (Rodney) Black, Lynette Kleinschmidt, Richard Schinschke Jr., and Michelle (Dave) Mueller. While raising her family, Bev worked full-time as a nurse on the third shift, a testament to her strength, resilience, and dedication to both her patients and her children. Her family grew to include ten grandchildren: Brian Schinschke; Bobbie (Paul) Rivera; Nathan Heintz; Derek Black (fiancé Cara Stacey); Aubrie Black; Kevin Kleinschmidt (Katherine); Tim Mueller; Hanna Fee (Cody); Payton Mueller; and Casey Mueller (fiancé Josh Belfiori). She had six great-grandchildren: Bella Jury (Trevor), William Rivera, Emery Stacey, Reina Kleinschmidt, Logan and Landon Fee.  In 2007, Bev and Dick relocated to Dickson, Tennessee, after falling in love with the warmth of the climate and the lifestyle it offered. 

Early on in their marriage, they embraced a lifelong passion for travel. What began as summer family camping trips across the United States grew into extraordinary global adventures. Over the years, they visited 84 countries, many more than once, with a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world in 2000 standing as a cherished highlight.  

Beverly also found great joy at home, especially in her gardens. She had a true green thumb and took pride in creating beautiful outdoor spaces, spending countless hours tending to flowers that brought her peace and happiness. She also recruited her children and grandchildren to help with the maintaining of these gardens.  

Above all, Bev will be remembered for her deep devotion to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cherished time spent with them, often reading stories and teaching them to write, and sharing quiet moments that left lasting memories. Her encouragement and guidance shaped generations and created bonds that will endure. Her faith was at the center of her life, and she constantly prayed for her family, holding each of them close in her heart. We find comfort in knowing she is now in Heaven, reunited with those she loved and lost. She will also be remembered for her love of family, her strong faith, and her adventurous spirit. Her legacy lives on in the memories she created and the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

We will say goodbye and celebrate the life of this beautiful woman on July 18th at St. John's Lutheran Church in Burns, Tennessee at 11:00 a.m. with lunch and celebration to follow.