Lorine M. Schmidt passed away peacefully, surrounded by her three children, on March 14, 2018. She was born on October 3, 1925 to August and Ida (Bergermann) Schmidt in Bulverde, Texas. Her grandparents were Henrich and Teresa (Ludwig) Schmidt and Chas and Lena (Hagg) Bergermann.
Lorine enjoyed a long and happy life. She was raised on a farm, the youngest of three children and as she always said, “never knew they were poor”. She had all she needed, love, food, shelter and clothing! As a child she didn’t know you needed money to buy anything. If her family needed something, they went to the store, picked up the items they needed, placed them on the counter and then the clerk wrote down on a tablet the items that were being purchased. Every six months her father would go into the store and pay the bill.
Lorine attended school in Bulverde through the seventh grade. She often told of her experiences in that one room school house, the challenges she encountered and the subsequent punishments she received. Her first language was German and all the students were required to speak English. Those students who spoke even a word of German, were punished! After completing the seventh grade, her formal education ended; to go any further would have meant she would have had to attend school in another city. So, at the age of 14, she was “looking for work”. At first, she worked around Bulverde helping care for the elderly or helping a family with a new baby. She also helped around the farm – milking cows, butchering and helping in the fields. It was during this time that she met a certain, red headed, freckle faced, nineteen-year-old, young man at a dance. His name was Bennie Lee Schmidt. On their very first date, Bennie took her to a family picnic where she met his entire family (aunts, uncles and cousins included). Shortly thereafter, Lorine found a job at a grocery store in San Antonio that paid $3 a week plus room and board. From the grocery store she went to work for the Post Office. She and Bennie got engaged when she was seventeen. She often told how proud she was of that “tiny diamond chip” in her ring and how she’d dance with her left hand on his back so all could see her ring. On March 18, 1944, she and Bennie were married. Bennie was in the service and was stationed at Boca Raton, Florida at the time of their marriage. Lorine stayed behind and continued to work at the Post Office until she could join him.
While in the service the couple lived in Boca Raton, Florida and Salina, Kansas. When the war ended in 1945, they moved back to Texas and built a house in New Braunfels. They soon started their family. Lorine worked at the Textile Mill for a short time but then opted to be a housewife and a stay at home Mom until her youngest child started school.
Lorine was always interested in bettering herself so she took typing and Bookkeeping courses. The courses benefited her greatly as she was the Bookkeeper for two major grocery store chains – A & P and Safeway. After both of those grocery chains left New Braunfels, at the age of 59, Lorine took Real Estate courses and became a licensed Realtor. She loved it so much, she continued to work until she was 83.
Lorine will always be remembered for her stories and the fact that she never met a stranger. She enjoyed being around people. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, bowling, dancing and reading But what she loved the most, and what brought her the most joy and happiness was her family!
Lorine was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Bennie Lee Schmidt and brother, Henry and sister-in-law Alberta Schmidt, niece, Viola Hermes and granddaughter-in- law, Kathy (Davenport) Schmidt.
She is survived by her son, Kenneth (Donna) and daughter, Cindy Bennett, all of New Braunfels, son, Dwight (Vicki) of Taylor, Texas, brother, Leroy Schmidt of Bulverde. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Aaron (Amy) Schmidt and David (Tatiana) Bennett of New Braunfels, Shannon (Jason) Wehring of Hutto, Jennifer (Mikkel) Hagen of Austin and Levi Schmidt of Taylor. In addition, Lorine is survived by five great grandchildren, Cash and Jace Schmidt, Jackson and Sarah Wehring and Maya Bennett, nieces, Geraldine (Johnny) Pfeiffer of Boerne and Jackie Oldfield of Bulverde, as well as nephews, Bill Schmidt of Bulverde and James (Cathy) Schmidt of Boerne. Lorine is also leaving behind many special cousins and very dear friends!
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Administrator, Nurses and staff at Gruene Senior Living. The love, care and support given to our Mother/Grandmother was excellent! We’d also like to thank Hope Hospice! We could not have asked for a better situation than the combined efforts and care of the staff of Gruene Senior Living and Hope Hospice!
Visitation for Lorine M Schmidt will be Tuesday, March 20, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Zoeller’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 21, at 10:00 AM at Zoeller’s Funeral Home. Burial will be at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Bulverde, following the service. After the graveside service, all are invited to a reception at the Bulverde Community Center.
Memorials may be given to the charity/organization of one’s choice or First United Methodist Church, New Braunfels.
