Maria "Mitzi" Schmid

Maria "Mitzi" Schmid passed away peacefully in her home during the evening of September 30th surrounded by family after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's.

Mitzi, known to many for her pretzels and by those close to her as Omi, was born in Sudetenland on September 12, 1937, to Franz and Hermine Weis. She and her family resettled in Leonberg, Germany when she was a young child.

While in Germany, she met her husband, Karlheinz Schmid, and gave birth to her first son Klaus. In 1962, the small family boarded a ship in Le Harve, France and set sail for America, first settling in Shreveport, Louisiana, and soon thereafter in Midland, Texas, where she lived until her passing.

Upon arriving in America, Mitzi and Karlheinz's English vocabulary was limited to the words "milk," "eggs," and "bread." She learned English by watching "Days of Our Lives" and "As the World Turns" on television and by communicating with her landlord Camilla Nolley. Mitzi and Camilla soon became best friends and went on to create a life of memories. One of our fondest fun memories is the story of Mitzi learning how to drive the VW Beetle she and Karlheinz brought over on the ship from Germany, Camilla as her driving instructor. Legend has it there was some scratched paint and a bent-up garage door during the course of her driving lessons. The Nolley family has remained close family friends for nearly 60 years.

In 1968, Mitzi gave birth to her second son Curtis. From the '60s through the '80s, the family was briefly active in motorsports before establishing a long-standing presence in the beauty industry. Mitzi and Karlheinz successfully owned and operated K&M Beauty Supply, with locations in Midland and Big Spring, Texas.

After retiring from the beauty industry, she spent her days working circles around the staff at her son's greenhouse business, cultivating the beautiful flowers she loved.

Mitzi was preceded in death by her husband, Karlheinz, and her sister, Krystal Schoebel.

Mitzi is survived by her son, Klaus and his wife Shonna; her son, Curtis; her grandchildren, Chelsea Reinhard, Aaron Schmid, Austin Schmid, Karlee Schmid, Tyler Schmid, and Travis Schmid; her great-grandson, Sebastian Schmid; her siblings, Franz Weis, Charlotte "Lottie" Wertz, Peter Kosch, Manfred Kosch, and Gretel Fruehwacht. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, friends, and family pets.

A special note of thanks and love to Mitzi's caregivers, led by Monica Lavenant, and the staff of Hospice of Midland. May God bless you all.

There is no public viewing or visitation scheduled. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 6th, at Ellis Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park located at 4616 N Big Spring St, Midland, TX., Steve Weaver officiant.

Honorary pallbearers are Donald Nolley, Glenn Nolley, Bruce Nolley, and Eddie Galceran. Please join the family at a reception held immediately following the service at the Ellis Resthaven Chapel's reception hall. Ellis Resthaven Funeral Home is coordinating all arrangements.

"Das leben endet, die leibe nicht."