Dorothy moved at an early age to Iowa where she attended elementary and high schools. Upon graduation she entered Iowa State Teachers College (now University of N Iowa) where after two years she transferred to the University of Minnesota where she earned her BS in education.
While pursuing additional coursework Dorothy met the love of her life, Arthur R. 'Dick' Schmidt. After a whirlwind romance they were married in 1939 and settled briefly in Minneapolis. Their marriage lasted over 61 years before her husband passed in 2001.
After their wedding, the couple moved to Wisconsin where Dick began work as a pharmacist. The thrill of travel called, and the couple soon moved to California, Dick having been hired by Trans World Airlines (TWA) but flying initially for the Military Air Transport Command. With one son in tow, the family was transferred to Kansas City in 1944 where Dick completed captain's school.
Over the next 30-plus years Dorothy took the lead in raising their four sons. Life with her husband included travel to the four corners of the globe.
Dorothy was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of NKC for over 60 years where she served as Elder and as the financial secretary for 28 years. She was a past member of the American Association of University Women and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (Iowa chapter). Two plaques of appreciation were earned for delivering Meals on Wheels.
Dorothy passed away quietly at the age of 103. She is survived by three sons — Larry (with Deanna of Overland Park, KS), David (with Jenni of Platte City, MO) and Steven (of Atlanta, GA) — six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Her eldest son, Richard, and a grandson pre-deceased her.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18