Nellie Schmitt

Nellie was born in the Netherlands and moved to the United States with her family when she was three. Her entrepreneurial parents instilled in her a spirit to try anything at least once—in the case of the Gala, twice.

Growing up in Waukesha, her career in massage therapy brought her to Sheboygan where she married Steven Schmitt.

Nellie's community involvement is wide-ranging and includes work with the Sheboygan Falls School District and six years with the Sheboygan Service Club. She has performed in community plays, perhaps the most memorable of which was her role as Patsy Cline in "Always. . .Patsy Cline". She also performed several songs from this play at a Sheboygan Symphony Pops Concert. Nellie is a member of the local rock group IC3. The Gala is truly a family affair for Nellie—her husband Steve is the current president of The Sheboygan Symphony and a member of the Gala committee, and her twin daughters are producing practice session videos of each dancer.

Nellie is sponsored by Loretta Schmitt, Jos. Schmitt & Sons Construction Co. and friends. She has chosen Meals on Wheels as the recipient of 50% of the proceeds raised through the purchase of extra votes on her behalf.

She will be performing the quick step with her dance partner, Jack Ryan.