Ernst Scheld Custom Obituary
GREEN BAY – Ernst Scheld completed his loving and fulfilling life journey on May 4, 2026, at the age of 90. The youngest of seven children, Ernst was born March 1, 1936, to Wilhelm and Luise Scheld in Allendorf (Lumda), Germany. He immigrated to Wisconsin in 1955 and immediately began work as a tailor at Steifel’s Men’s Clothing in downtown Green Bay.
An introduction to a young woman visiting the big city from northern Wisconsin became the most important event in his life. Mary Margaret Knopp happened to be at The Prom dance club in De Pere, and fortunately for Ernst, she was smitten with the cute German accent of the young tailor. Ernst soon married his beloved “Mutzi” at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, Wisconsin, on August 2, 1958.
The couple raised their family on Fred Street in Green Bay as Ernst established himself as one of the most trusted tailors and salesmen of men’s clothing in the area. He spent the majority of his more than 50-year career at H.C. Prange Co., The Kleiderhaus for Men (of which he was co-owner), C.A. Gross, Co., and the Haberdasher Ltd., from which he retired in 2004.
Ernst was asked often why he never lost his relatively thick German accent. He typically responded with a laugh and said, “My best friend, Jesus, was German.”
In addition to the dedication to his customers, Ernst was an active member of SS Peter and Paul Parish in Green Bay, where he served as an usher for 25 years, a trustee for eight years, Baird Home Advisory Board member, senior Mass server, and choir member. He was also involved for many years with Cursillo in Christianity in the Green Bay Diocese and was a charter member of Christ the King Adoration Chapel. Ernst loved to golf, cheer for the Green Bay Packers, take care of his lawn, and help others as often as possible.
Without a doubt, Ernst’s greatest joys came from spending time with his children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If he had his way, his kids would have come back home to live with him forever. However, Mutzi put the kibosh on that idea (not that they would have anyway), so he had to settle for frequent family gatherings, often featuring his famous chicken booyah.
Ernst is survived by his wife, Mary; three of their children, Susan (Richard) Halverson and their daughters, Cassie Lewis-Byers and her daughters, Gianna and Malia, and their father, Aubrey Lewis-Byers, and Kristi (Matt) Klarkowski and their children, Sterling and Laken; Leslie (Sarah Frey) Scheld and their children, Tim (Sandra) Rhorer and Hannah Frey; Mark (Connie) Scheld and their children, McKenzie (Jake) Menard and their daughter Joelle, Parker (fiancée Megan Voelker), Grant and Kyra; daughter-in-law Laurie Scheld (fiancé Steve Denissen) and her children, Jennifer, Jay Thomas (Kelsey), Kaitlynn (Avery) Schwab and their children, Aleena, Ford and Winston, and Brooke and her daughter, Nova McIntosh; and many nieces and nephews.
Also preceding Ernst in death were his son and birthday buddy, Thomas Jay; great-grandchildren Aniah Lewis-Byers and Graham Schwab; his parents, Wilhelm and Louise Scheld; in-laws, Frank and Margaret Knopp; brothers Karl, Wilhelm and Heinrich Scheld; sisters Leni Michel, Hildegard Albrecht and Johanna Buehler; brothers-in-law Otto Michel, Arthur Albrecht, Werner Buehler and Richard Knopp; and sisters-in-law Elfreida Scheld and Audrey Knopp.
A private Mass and burial took place on May 12, 2026. Proko-Wall Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family with arrangements.
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