Obituary of Jeanie Schmidt

Jeanie Watson Schmidt

Jeanie was ushered into heaven on Resurrection Day, Easter, April 12^th, following a short-term illness. She passed away in her comfortable home where she had been lovingly cared for by her family, with the support of Kaiser Hospice Team and dear friend, Cherry. 

Jeanie was born in Portland, OR, to parents, Clayton and Hazel Watson, on May 16, 1947. She grew up in the Moreland/Sellwood neighborhood, attending Llewellyn Grade School, Cleveland High School and graduated from Clackamas High School after her parents moved to the Milwaukie area in her senior year. Jeanie developed close friendships with her young peers in the Sellwood neighborhood and enjoyed times later in life when they could connect at reunions.

Jeanie went on to attend two years of college at Northwest Nazarene University, majoring in education. She then returned to Portland, where she began her working career at First National Bank of Oregon, Main Branch (now Wells Fargo Bank).

In 1971, Jeanie married Jerry Schmidt, whom she had known most all her life, as they both grew up attending Moreland Nazarene Church. Before starting their family, Jeanie and Jerry enjoyed international travel to South Korea and to Israel, as well as their first trips to Hawaii and Alaska.

When their children were of school age, Jeanie returned to the job market and worked outside their home. She did contract work as a Program Manager for Career Track, Inc. for several years and then worked full time as administrative assistant for several firms, including Johnson Acoustical Supply, Western Energy Institute, and then retiring in 2015 from the Port of Portland, Navigation Division.

Even while working fulltime outside the home and caring for her growing family, she still made time every Saturday to travel across town to her widowed mother’s home to style her hair.

Jeanie was a beautiful person both inside and out. She had a smile and wit that would light up a room. With the kindest, most generous and tender heart of love and compassion for others, she expressed her love language in so many ways. She was a fabulous cook and loved to collect recipes and try them out on her grateful husband, special guests and extended family. She graced every room in her home with a touch of beauty and tasteful décor. Jeanie was an ambitious quilter. She was always eager to learn more about the fine art of quilting, so she could apply what she learned on the next project. She enjoyed quilting for all her immediate family members, presenting them each with priceless, treasured expressions of her love.

She was a lay pastor and deacon in New Hope Church, where she and her husband were one of twelve families that started the church in 1972 with founding pastors, Dale and Margi Galloway. In the earlier years, she enjoyed being a part of the renowned, quality music program of the church, singing solos, singing in an ensemble and in the 100-member choir. She helped lead the Young Marrieds Ministry and was a mentor to many young moms and young couples. She led a ladies Bible study group in her home for many years, helping to lead others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and nurture them in their spiritual growth. Jeanie was active in the Women’s Ministry of the Church in those early years, crafting beautiful and artistic posters to promote frequent women’s events. In the last few years, Jeanie served as a deacon of New Hope, caring for church members, visiting and calling on those who could not attend church due to health reasons. She was active in New Hope Church’s Adult Bible Fellowship ministry, where as a team, she and Jerry helped lead the ministry to senior adults. Above all, she was a wonderful, supportive pastor’s wife. Jeanie’s main focus was her family. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren, helping to care for her grandchildren when she retired. She loved being with her siblings at any opportunity, whether at holiday gatherings, family reunions, or just hanging out, enjoying laughter, music and memorable fellowship.

Over the years, Jeanie and Jerry enjoyed traveling often with dear friends to Hawaii, Leavenworth, WA, Victoria, BC and other stateside destinations. In the last five years, they fulfilled some long held travel goals by taking in the sights of Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, VA, exploring many of the national parks and monuments in South Dakota, Colorado, and Utah, and traveling the beauty of Oregon’s coastline, Crater Lake, and favorite parts of Central Oregon.

Jeanie leaves a legacy of love. She was a godly woman, living a righteous life of humility and service to her Lord and Savior. She is survived by Jerry, her loving husband of 49 years; their children: daughter Mindy Kraxberger and husband Ryan, grandchildren Kohr and Makena; son, Jay Schmidt and wife Miranda, and grandson, Lincoln; sisters: Jackie Watson and Glaphre Daniels (Glaphre’s husband, Jerry) both of Meridian, ID, brother, Jerry Watson (wife, Diane) of Happy Valley, OR, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due to the pandemic, a celebration of life will be scheduled later when social distancing restrictions have diminished. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeanie’s memory to the Families in Crisis Fund @ New Hope Church, 11731 SE Stevens Road, Happy Valley, OR 97086. Donations may also be made securely on-line: https://pushpay.com/g/newhopepdx?src=hpp using the drop down menu under “Fund”. 

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