Lieselotte Irmgard Klara Scheu of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, entered into her heavenly rest peacefully Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the age of 103.
Dearest daughter of the late Fritz Schulze and Klara (nee Garsky). Beloved wife of the late Viktor Scheu. Cherished mother of Diana (Guy) Thompto of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Precious grandmother to Kyle (Sarah) Gisbrecht of Winnetka, Illinois, Kayla (Justin) Kazemi of Lakewood, California, and Justin Thompto of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Adored great-grandmother to Charlotte Gisbrecht, Caroline Gisbrecht, Julian Kazemi, and Joanna Kazemi. Treasured sister-in-law to Irene (Gene) Brunner, the late Hans (Elvira) Scheu, and the late Friedrich "Fred" (Amy) Scheu. Esteemed aunt to Vicky (Brad) Ohde, Monika Scheu, Peter (Pati) Scheu, Erika (Andrew) Wagner, Rebecca Lynch, the late Brian Scheu, and the late Michael Brunner. Loved by her extended family, including her cousin the late Günther Garsky, Harold Gisbrecht, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She was also blessed to be surrounded by caring companions and dear friends, Kate, Wiki, Mandy, and others, who supported her with warmth and devotion.
Lieselotte ("Lilo") was born March 31, 1923, in Berlin, Germany, to Fritz Schulze and Klara (nee Garsky). Music and poetry filled her childhood home, and singing and dancing were simply part of everyday life. In her youth, she and her cousin Günther spent carefree summers swimming and spotting film stars at their grandmother's Stölpchensee beach resort. In her teens, Lilo followed her passion into show business and joined a traveling dance troupe. After marrying Viktor in Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, in 1955, she and her husband immigrated to the United States in 1957. She stumbled into a successful career with legendary Milwaukee sailmaker Mel Jones, having mistaken his ad's height and weight requirements for a modeling job, when in fact he needed someone nimble enough to move across the sails. Lilo later joined Blue Cross Blue Shield as a manager, eventually overseeing a team in the Milwaukee office. Her faith was a guiding light throughout her life, and she was a long-time and devoted member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Lilo's love for her heritage inspired her deep involvement as a member of the Berliner Bären, DANK Choir, and German Fest Milwaukee. She directed and performed in musical cultural programs and holiday celebrations that kept German traditions alive for her community, bringing the same passion to the stage that had defined her youth. Known for her discipline and the high caliber of her performances, she brought a professional's eye and a performer's heart to every production she touched. Though a proud American citizen, Lilo remained forever a Berliner at heart.
Lilo's most honored roles were wife, mother, and "Oma." She shared the deepest love and devotion with her greatest joy, her "Schatz" Viktor, for their 68 years of marriage. Lilo delighted in raising her daughter, Diana, and especially treasured their bond. She described her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as "my life," and she poured her heart into every part of their upbringing, raising her family in faith and grounding them in the belief that Christ is at the center of it all.
Above all, Lilo will be remembered for her deep and steadfast faith in Christ, which shaped her character, guided her choices, and gave her comfort and hope throughout her 103 years. She will also be remembered for her unmatched generosity and quiet acts of charity; her cosmopolitan flair for fashion; her sparkling charm and endearing German sayings, always finding the perfect words for any moment; her ballroom dance expertise; her devotion to music, poetry, and language; her passionate performances; her love of yellow Teerosen; and her gift for making whomever she was with feel like the most important person in the world. Most of all, she will be treasured for loving her family so richly beyond measure, and for the assurance that she now rests in the arms of her Savior. She will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 10025 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, from 12:00 PM until the time of the Funeral Service at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park.
Memorials to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Aurora Zilber Family Hospice appreciated.
