Ernestine “Teeny” Martha Schmidt

Born November 20, 1930 in Albany Texas, “Teeny” (as she was known her whole life) was anything but teeny in the way she enjoyed life.  Early on, she had the impish grin that said she was up to something.  After spending most of her grade school and high school years in Vernon, Texas with her brother John and sister Elizabeth (Liz), she went to St. John’s in Kansas and Concordia College (University) in River Forest, Illinois.  Her career in early childhood education spanned over 40 years. It started in Detroit, then moved on to St. Louis, where she met Paul Schmidt, her husband for over 60 years.

Paul and Teeny moved to Bingen, WA to start Paul’s career in ministry, where their first son David was born.  Soon thereafter, they moved to the Spokane Valley, WA, and then on to Murray, UT, returning to Spokane after the births of son Joel, daughter Ann and son Dan.

Teeny was a dedicated teacher, wife, and mother with many talents, including decorating and sewing.  She was an impeccable dresser, often sewing her and her children’s clothes.  In her spare time, she fed her sewing habit with a part-time job at the local fabric store.

She taught over 1,000 preschool and kindergartners, and was very active on boards and associations focused on early childhood education.  Her love for singing and reading changed the lives of many, most of all, her grandchildren Nathan, Corinne, Rachel, Conor, Riley & Casey, and one great-grandson, Xylahn.

Before retiring, Paul and Teeny moved to Portland, OR where Paul served as Mission Director at the Northwest District Office.

After retirement, Paul and Teeny travelled to many cities where Paul served as interim minister, including Wahiawa Hawaii, Yakima WA, Kennewick, WA and Oregon City, OR.

In 2008, Teeny was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  After many years of Paul caring for her in their home, Teeny moved to Monterey Court Memory Care, where she lived for almost seven years, outliving most patients with her disease and Paul, her husband of over 60 years who passed away in March of 2018.  During her time at Monterey, she was a favorite of the caregivers, able to hum and smile until her last days.