Emma Mary Schmid

February 15, 1932 ~ 2020
Emma Mary (Jantzer) Schmid was born Feb. 15, 1932, in Hebron, ND, 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 in 1949, and married George J. Schmid on Jan. 6, 1951, at St. John’s Catholic Church. They lived in California while George was stationed at Camp Cooke. They moved 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 George Schmid Excavating in 1958 and George Schmid & Sons in 1975, where most of their children were employed for many years.
She will be remembered for unending generosity, vibrant smile, kind hospitality, and her chocolate chip cookies!
Emma was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, George; son, Edwin; parents, Frank and Mary Jantzer; brothers, John, Ralph, Peter and Paul, and great-grandson, Nicholas Gustafson.
She 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 (two more expected in 2021), and many dear friends and relatives.
Emma will be greatly missed. A private funeral Mass and Christian burial was held Dec. 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.