Ruth Joan (Irwin) Schmid

Ruth Joan Irwin Schmid, age 93, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 21, 2025, at Silverado Memory Care in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, and friend to everyone.

Ruth J. Irwin Schmid was born September 14, 1931, in Mound City, Kansas, in the home where she grew up. Growing up, she worked in the family hardware store helping her dad from time to time and was even occasionally the only one in the store to help customers while he was away on business trips. After college, she moved to Kansas City—a big dream of hers. She met the love of her life, Carl K. Schmid, while working at the Stockyards Insurance Agency. They were married in October 1956.

She loved her family dearly and would do anything for them. She enjoyed having family dinners and taking many family vacations to Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada in the summers. She loved the Rocky Mountains!

Ruth worked at home for many years as a transcriber for a group of court reporters (while her kids were in school), and then she worked at Black & Veatch for 20+ years as a secretary in various departments. She retired in September 1996.

After retirement she became even more active in her church, Red Bridge Methodist Church, where she attended regular weekly Bible classes, helped fill in for the receptionist as needed, attended weekly women’s Dorcas meetings (was president for a few years), organized funeral lunches, volunteered at Harvesters, etc.

Ruth also built two large doll houses from kits. Both houses had furniture, pictures on the walls, wallpaper, lights, etc., but no running water. She should have been an architect/home building project manager/interior decorator.

Ruth and her friend Dorothy Wiltse would take trips all over the USA. Ruth planned the trips and did all the driving. They had such a wonderful time seeing the sights, taking tours, etc. They even took a trip to Europe!

Ruth joined Prairie Chapter DAR in Lee’s Summit, MO with Karen in February 2013 and was an active member until September 2022 when she moved into a memory care facility. She attended monthly meetings and the annual Midwest District Meeting. She enjoyed getting to know the daughters and spending time with them during the monthly meetings and the occasional trip to visit local historical sites, collecting items to send to veterans, etc.

She lived her last few years at Silverado Memory Care in Lee’s Summit, MO. She was dearly loved by the staff. They all enjoyed her wonderful blue eyes, smiles and hugs. Even though she had dementia, she still tried to help the staff and other residents. We thank Silverado for the wonderful care they gave mom during the time she was there. We could tell by the way they all took care of her that they truly cared.

Ascend Hospice was also very helpful in taking care of mom for the past several months. They were so very kind, loving and caring.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl K. Schmid; parents Vera Fay and Asa Ernest Irwin; Sister Vera Francis (Irwin) and husband A. K. “Kay” Williamson; and brother Mark P. Irwin.

She leaves behind her son Kenneth R. and wife Sandra J. Schmid (Rolla, MO); daughter Karen R. and husband Michael R. Creech (Lee’s Summit, MO); Grandchildren Michael R (Jr) and wife Sable A. Creech (Arlington, VA); Kristen K. Schmid (Rolla, MO); and Matthew K. & wife Mackenzie B. Schmid (Springfield, MO); one great-grandchild Leo J. Schmid; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dementia Society of America and/or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Red Bridge United Methodist Church, 636 East 117th Street, Kansas City MO 64131. Visitation will start at 3:00 pm with the funeral to follow at 3:30 pm. Burial at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 (Holmes & I-435, KCMO) immediately following the service.