Beatrice Schantz

Beatrice Virginia Schmidt Schantz passed away on June 16, 2013 at the Baptist Village Retirement Center Memory Care Unit. She was the fifth of seven children born to Henry Schmidt and Emma Geis Schmidt on March 21, 1913 in Durham, Kansas. She married Ernest Herbert Schantz on March 8, 1941. He died on May 1, 1967. She was also pre-deceased by her two brothers, Harvey and Delmar, and her four sisters, Edna, Elsie, Olga, and Ethel.

She is survived by her two beloved sons, John and James, and their families. John’s wife is Melanie and their children are Jenifer and Mark. Jenifer’s husband is Rev. Harvey Sparks, and their four children are Tabitha, Benjamin, Gracelyn, and Judah. James’ wife is Phyllis, and their daughters are Cari, Emily, and Molly. Cari’s husband is Jason Warfe and their daughters are Jacie and Carlie.

Bea’s mother died when she was five years old. After that, she spent time in both Kansas and Oklahoma, living and working with relatives. She graduated from Hobart High School in 1931 as valedictorian, and the University of Oklahoma in 1934, going full-time and attending summer school for three summers. She received an undergraduate degree, and later in life she also received a Master’s Degree in counseling from the University of Oklahoma.

After graduation from OU, she began a long public school teaching career in Oklahoma. She influenced many students for good over the years. She taught in Berlin, Rocky, Canute, Lake Valley, Hobart, Manitou, Frederick, and Putnam City. She retired from teaching in 1978.

Bea lived over 100 years, celebrating her 100th birthday just a short time ago with a party at the Baptist Village Retirement Center. Joining the celebration were both sides of the family, including nieces and nephews from around Rocky, and relatives and friends… all got together to honor her.

And now she gets to spend eternity with Jesus, her family and friends. The Lord really blessed her with a full life, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Her service will be at 10am on Wednesday June 18 at Baptist Temple Church in Oklahoma City. Burial will be at Hobart Cemetery in Hobart, Oklahoma at 2:30pm.