Lois Elaine Schmidt

Sandy, Utah— Our wonderful Angel Mom, Grandma, Sister and Friend “slipped quietly away into the clouds” 12:06am Saturday, May 4th, 2013, of natural causes. We were there holding her hand. It was so peaceful and reverent. We wish all of you could have been there. She loves every one of you. She is now singing and dancing with Dad in a happy place with Heavenly Father, her family and friends. She and Dad are now our Guardian Angels!
Born Dec. 5, 1932, to Curtis Erick & Veatrice Johansen Gunderson in Sweets Mining Camp, Carbon County, Utah; with quilts frozen to the walls of their two-room cabin, her 16-year old brother, Boyd, sprinted two winter miles to Commerce for the camp doctor. The Gunderson family then resided in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah, until Elaine was 3, when they moved to Salt Lake City.
Elaine married Orson Richard Schmidt June 12, 1953 for all Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. They met in Sacre Dolce Choir.
She is survived by “her jewels”: Cy (Kathy), Mark (Elaine), Brad (Cindy), Andrea (Scott) Schulze; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (with 1 on the way).
Preceded in death by Richard, her husband of 59 years; JoAnn Datwyler, her younger sister who died two weeks ago, her older two sisters and four brothers.
Elaine attended Grant Elementary, Lincoln Jr High, then at age 16, graduated Valedictorian from South High School, Class of 1949. During her senior year, she was chosen for her short-hand, dictation and typing skills to work as secretary to Dr. Leo Provost, Dept head of Secondary Education, University of Utah. She then worked at Arrowhead Freight Lines as secretary to her oldest brother, Boyd.
After her 1953 marriage to Richard, she was a stay-at-home mom. Later, to help support her 3 missionary sons, Elaine worked for the Executive Office at H & R Block. She retired from Woodstock Elementary.
With a beautiful lead soprano voice, Elaine grew up singing and playing sports in the “old 4th ward”. She served faithfully in the Haven Ward of the South Salt Lake Stake. Later on, she was the Relief Society President, Primary President and Young Women’s President of the Chevy Chase Ward of the South Cottonwood Stake. She served her Heavenly Father valiantly in many callings and capacities throughout her life. She loved going to the temple and went often. For over 30 years, she enjoyed singing in the ward choir and with a ladies trio. Mom loved the Gospel, music, family, cooking, baking, nice clothes and jewelry, camping and world travel. Elaine was so blessed and knew her Heavenly Father would always provide for her.
Elaine’s family expresses deep gratitude and thanks for the loving kindness and compassion given to Mom and our family from the amazing staff & management of Atria, Sunrise Senior Living and Solstice Hospice.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Ward, 5235 S. Wesley Rd 84117 (1250 E), Holladay, Utah. Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, from 6-8 p.m. at Murray Memorial Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, 84121, Murray, Utah, and 11:30am-12:30pm prior to the 1:00 pm funeral services at the ward. Interment Mountain View Memorial Cemetery, 3115 East 7800 South, 84121 Cottonwood Heights, Utah.