Marjorie Schmidt

Marjorie (Morris) Schmidt passed away peacefully on October 13, 2013. She was 92.

Marjie was born October 10, 1921 in Clearmont, Wyoming. She grew up on a ranch that her parents homesteaded outside of Otter, Montana. Marjie attended a one room schoolhouse to which she rode each day on her beloved horse, Bluebell. She had a deep connection to the Montana countryside and happy memories of her childhood on the ranch. Marjie studied nursing in Billings, MT and as an RN joined the Army Air Corps entering active duty on January 4, 1944. While stationed in California, she met Air Force navigator, James Schmidt, and they married on January 11, 1947.

Marjie and Jim moved frequently during their first years of marriage as they left the Army Air Corp and re-entered civilian life. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Marjie and Jim moved to Columbus, OH where Jim completed his college education. Marjie worked in a psychiatric hospital during this time. Eventually she and Jim returned to the Swanton community where they bought a farm and Jim joined the family farming business.

Marjie was a full time Mom and homemaker. In addition, she helped with community work. As a registered nurse, she did blood pressure checks, gave injections to the homebound, volunteered for community blood drives, and gave nursing care to family members and farm employees whenever needed.

Marjie and Jim were active members of St. Richard’s Catholic community with Marjie serving as a librarian at the parish school for several years. When Jim entered the Catholic diaconate program, Marjie was a strong support, and became involved in organizing couples’ retreats and pre-marriage counseling discussion groups.

In retirement, Marjie and Jim moved to Wauseon, Ohio, continuing their church involvement at St. Caspar’s Catholic Church where they acted as Eucharistic Ministers to the sick.

Having led a very solitary childhood on a remote ranch, Marjie was always very content to be alone in nature. Bird watching was a favorite hobby, as well as nature walks, music, reading, and tending her flower gardens. She and Jim enjoyed traveling on back roads all across America.

Marjie was a warm, loving and profoundly patient Mom. She appreciated the beauty of God’s world and shared it with her family. Her children consider themselves blessed to have had such a good mother.

Marjie is survived by her son: Richard (Sue) Schmidt and daughters: Teresa (Roger) Rzonca, Janet (Jack) Lett, Judy (Lon) Fessenden, Jackie (Rick) Cloud, Kathy (Vince) Huston, Bonnie (Mike) Davidson, 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Alice Morris, Eileen Morris, Aletha Schmidt, Don and Mary Catherine Frederick as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Schmidt; parents, Douglas and Anna (McTigue) Morris; and brothers, Willis and Bob Morris.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 16, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. at Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton. A prayer service with recitation of the rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. A mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Swanton on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 A.M. Fr. Robert Holden will be officiating with Deacon Jerry Ziemkiewicz and Deacon Tim Worline assisting. Interment is at St. Richard’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, Ohio Division, 5555 Frantz Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017.

Residence: Lawton, Michigan; formerly of Swanton, Ohio

Visitation: Wednesday, October 16th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Mass of Resurrection: Thursday, October 17th at 11:00 am at St. Richard Catholic Church

Interment: St. Richard's Cemetery