SUN PRAIRIE/MADISON--Ray 'Cardie" Schmitt age 80 passed away on Friday, March 6, 2015 at Oakwood East, Madison with his loving wife, Diane at his side. Ray was born in East Bristol to Raymond J. and Margaret (Robertson) Schmitt. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1952 and Upper Iowa University in 1985. Ray farmed the home farm with his mother and brother until he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Military Intelligence. Upon returning from the service he resumed operating R J Schmitt Farms, an extensive livestock and grain operation. In addition to the farms, in 1970 Ray developed R J Schmitt Agri-Business Inc, a wholesale and retail farm supply service, commercial transport service and grain marketing service. In 1978 Ray sold the business and rented the farms due to a serious heart condition. He continued to work in agri-business and in 1979 accepted a management position with the Hamre Feed Service, Ltd. as vice president and general manager overseeing the company's six divisions. In 1987, Ray accepted a management position with Vita Plus Corporation in Madison as assistant to the controller and manager of it's retail operations, he later became secretary that same year. During this period, he also served as president and legislation chairman of the Wisconsin Grain Dealers Association. He also was responsible for merging the Wisconsin Feed Association and the Wisconsin Grain Dealers into a new Wisconsin Agri-service Association. In 1994 Ray became the CEO of the WASA and its' affiliate health insurance trust for the membership and served as the association's lobbyist. During his tenure with the association, he was very instrumental in the development of the Wisconsin law, Chapter 126, the Agricultural Producer Security Law. In 2002 Ray received a commendation from Governor Tommy Thompson for his many contributions and achievements to Wisconsin agriculture. Upon retirement in 2003, Ray started Cardie's Consulting Company to help agribusinesses and farmers with their financial and marketing programs. Ray was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending winters at The Villages in Florida. He also served on many civic organizations and legislative and industry committees including Columbus Kiwanis, serving as president in 1990. Ray was a member of the Spring Prairie Lutheran Church having served on the church council for nine years of which three he served as president. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Diane of Madison; two daughters, Dr. Karen (Michael Rentel) Schmitt of Juneau AK and Rebecca (Mike) Weisenberger of Wausau; a son-in-law, Pablo Carvallo of Floral Park, Queens NY; four grandchildren, Travis and Tyler Weisenberger and Ruby and Lucinda Carvallo; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Carvallo and a son, Raymond; one brother, Robert; a sister, Mary and infant sister, Elizabeth. Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at SPRING PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH, Keyeser. Pastor Sylvia Lee-Thompson officiated. Interment was in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Friday at Jensen Funeral & Cremation, Columbus, and from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Spring Prairie Lutheran Church or the Oakwood Foundation. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the staff at Oakwood's Nursing Home/Rehab Center and St. Jude's Hospice for the loving care and attention given to our father for his final months.