Obituary of Emma Mary Schmid

Emma Mary Jantzer (Schmid) was born in Hebron, ND on February 15, 1932, the fifth child (and first daughter) of Frank and Mary Jantzer. The family settled in Vancouver, WA when Emma was 10. Emma graduated from Providence Academy in Vancouver, WA in 1949, and married George J. Schmid on January 6, 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church. They lived in CA while George was stationed at Camp Cooke, and moved back to Washougal, WA, where they raised seven children. Emma was an active parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, volunteering with Catholic Daughters, organizing and working on weddings and funerals, and was a member of the parish welcoming committee. She was a generous donor of Catholic education, being instrumental in the founding of Pacific Crest Academy, Seton Catholic High School, and many schools in the Kabale Diocese of Uganda. Emma supported George when he founded the companies George Schmid Excavating in 1958 and George Schmid & Sons in 1975, where most of their children were employed for many years. Emma will be remembered for her unending generosity, vibrant smile, kind hospitality, and her chocolate chip cookies! Emma was preceded in death by her husband George of 49 years, son Edwin, parents Frank and Mary Jantzer, brothers John, Ralph, Peter and Paul, and great grandson Nicholas Gustafson. Emma is survived by her twin sisters, Marlene and Marilyn, cherished children James (Jolette) Schmid, Mary (Alan) Hargrave, Frank Schmid, Carolyn (David) Simms, Cynthia Schmid, and Kevin (Shelly) Schmid, 14 inspiring grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren (2 more expected in 2021), and many dear friends and relatives. She will be greatly missed. A private funeral Mass and christian burial was held on December 4, 2020. Donations in her memory may be made to the Kabale Education Fund, or to Margaret & Emma Uganda (a nonprofit named in her honor) through FirstFruits Foundation. Please send donations to P.O. Box 127 Washougal, WA 98671.