Dorothy M Schmidt

Dorothy Mau Graue Schmidt was born July 22, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, (now known as Winnwood) to Alvin J. and Frieda (Bunge) Graue. She died on January 10, 2025, at North Kansas City Hospital at the age of eighty-one.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Francis; her sister, Pauline and brother-in-law, Glenn Foster; children, David and Deanna; siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy attended Munger Grade School in Claycomo, Northgate Junior High School, and North Kansas City High School, graduating in 1961. She then attended National College, a Methodist college, in Kansas City for two years. While on that campus she met Francis Schmidt, who was attending St. Paul School of Theology on the same campus. They were married at McMurry Methodist Church in Claycomo on August 17, 1963. She and Francis moved to Martell, Nebraska, where he began serving his first churches (Sprague and Martell Methodists Churches).

A month after being married, Dorothy enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She earned her BA degree in 1966 with majors in psychology and sociology.

Dorothy and Francis had two children, David, who was born May 29, 1968, in Crete, Nebraska; and Deanna, who was born October 28, 1972, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In 1975, Dorothy began a program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to become a social worker. She received her master’s degree of social work in 1978.

Dorothy worked as a child protective service worker for the Iowa department of Social Services in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for four years. Then she worked for the United Catholic Social Services in Omaha for 13 years. Her practice was called Family Counseling Services.

Dorothy was strongly committed to her professional organization, the National Association of Social Workers. She held an office in that organization for nine years and attended four national meetings.

Upon retirement in June 2005, Dorothy and Francis moved to Liberty, Missouri, to be closer to family. She was active in many physical fitness activities. She was a great correspondent writing a “Saturday Letter” to family and friends for may years (beginning in 2001). Also, she participated in a Round Robin Letter with her National College friend for more than 40 years. She had a gift for making and keeping friends.

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM at McMurray United Methodist Church, 25 N Eugene Field Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Memorials may be given to the Planned Parenthood or Alzheimer’s Association

Dorothy was a regular blood donor for most of her life and received an award for donating 100 units.

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM at McMurray United Methodist Church, 25 N Eugene Field Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.