Dianne Schmidt of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the age of 67. She was born on September 2, 1958, in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she graduated from Fort Collins High School. She earned a paralegal certification and later a degree in Human Resources from the University of Kansas City.
She worked for Rogers Public Schools for a number of years prior to her retirement, and she found purpose and meaning in working with the English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, helping elementary school students improve their ability to read and write in English. She felt immense pride in watching her students' confidence in themselves grow alongside their command of the English language. Dianne brightened every room she walked into and was known for her positivity, optimism, and love for others. When not at work, she loved spending time with her family and friends. You could often find her catching up with friends over lunch or a cup of coffee.
Dianne is preceded in death by her parents Harold and Ruth Griffith and her sister-in-law Barb Griffith. She is survived by her husband Rick Schmidt; daughters Jillian and Jenna Schmidt; siblings Lynne Tillman, Larry (Denise) Griffith, Bill Griffith, Mark (Char) Griffith; and her nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Dianne will be held at First Christian Church of Bentonville, Arkansas, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT. A livestream of the service will be available for those unable to attend in person. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Dianne's name to the American Lung Association, the NWA Humane Society for Animals, or the Rogers Public Schools Rolling Readers summer program.
