Steven L. Schmidt

Steve met the love of his life, Linda (nee Biancalana), while roller skating with friends at The Hub Rolling Skating Rink in Norridge when he was 21 years old and Linda was 18 years old. Linda took Steve to her high school prom and two years later they were married. They traveled and enjoyed many happy years together before settling in Des Plaines to start their family.

Steve enjoyed a wonderful career at Vienna Beef for nearly 49 years. He loved his job and was known as the “Corned Beef King of Chicago”. Like clockwork, each and every March, Steve would wear a leprechaun hat and bow tie for the entire month while overseeing the production of the season’s corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day. He was a dedicated, talented and loyal employee who brought joy to those he worked with. Steve retired from Vienna Beef in 2019 and you could count on him sharing his former place of employment with every hot-dog stand owner he spoke with.

Steve enjoyed life to the fullest; driving his classic red convertible and he and Linda knew just about every ice cream stand from Des Plaines through Wisconsin. In retirement, he enjoyed flying (and crashing) RC planes. Steve and Linda also enjoyed traveling. Their travels took them everywhere; locally with many beloved weekend day trips, nationwide exploring new cities and sightseeing abroad, as a couple and later with their children and friends. Steve and Linda have always loved dancing with one another…. and Steve was quite the showman on the dance floor!

The greatest joy of Steve’s life were his children and grandsons. Family was the most important thing in his life and meant everything to Steve. He enjoyed so many fun times with Gina and Eric over the years; between sports games, band concerts, dance recitals, etc. they were always off doing something and were never short on entertainment with Steve as their father. As Gina and Eric became adults, Steve shared a close bond with each of them and they continued to share many special times together. One thing was for sure, Steve loved to have fun with his kids.

The greatest blessing of Steve’s life were his grandsons, Enzo and Leo. Papa was their everything and they were his. When they were together, they were like three little kids. From building Legos to playing ball and boardgames, to flying Papa’s airplanes and “driving” Papa’s convertible, to going to the theatre and many sleepover movie nights at Papa and Nanna’s with Papa’s delicious homemade popcorn.

The loss is immeasurable and so is the love left behind.

Steven is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 47 years, Linda, his cherished children, Gina (Joe) Gargano, Eric (Ashley Daly), his adored grandsons, Vincenzo (Enzo) and Leo Gargano; his sister, many close and loving in-laws, nieces and nephews, and countless friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Steven to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.