Anne D. Schmidt

After a wonderful and happy morning full of sunshine and Braums (where she loved to go), our loving wife, mother and grandmother, Anne Schmidt, age 88, left suddenly to be with her Jesus on February 28th, 2024. Anne was born in O'Neill, Nebraska on September 9th, 1935, to David and Anna Grieser Erb. The family moved to the Frazee, Minnesota area when she was about five years old. She was the youngest of eight children at the time. She attended school in Frazee, Minnesota and was an exceptional student who loved to study. She and her family were members of the Lake Region Mennonite Church. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at about 12 years of age and lived her life for Him from that moment on. Anne was interested in many things and was talented in most of them. She seemed to be able to do about anything she endeavored to do. She excelled in jobs all her life and was laser focused on doing all her work “as unto the Lord and not man.” In the 60s she took over her family's restaurant and operated it with the help of her mother in the kitchen. She has said that some of her fondest memories were working with her mom. During this time, she met Duane Schmidt and married him in 1966. He is the love of her life. While life brought her to many places and new faces, Anne ended up in Siloam Springs in 1985. While she always called Minnesota “home,” she so enjoyed the Siloam area and the many people she has known in Arkansas. She would be the first to say how blessed she was to have been here. Anne has two beautiful children—Bruce and Lisa (Annie Re). Both have been the joy and pride of her life. She also has two “adopted” children—Debbie Harris and Stefan Siems. They were not hers by birth, but they became her own in her heart. To anyone blessed enough to have met and known her, the light and life in her eyes is one of the first things you noticed about her. Anne was always happy with the joy of the Lord. If the sun were shining on her way to Braums each morning, she would sing “Blue skies smiling at me, nothing but blue skies can I see.” On the rainy or cloudy days, she was still positive and always said, “The Son is still shining in our hearts!” She loved sunshine and she provided it for so many people. Her eyes danced and twinkled when she laughed, and they spoke of love in her everyday conversation. There was a vibrancy within her that is not common, and it is something one does not easily forget. If she wanted to say hello or tease you at Braums, a napkin may have been wadded up and thrown at you. From this teasing and humor and constant smile to her depth of affection, sincere heart, and strong faith in Jesus, she lived in a way that inspired others and brought strength to those around her. Her love for the Lord and her desire to please Him was the central focus of her life. She lived her faith without compromise. She was unwavering in her belief that the Lord is Love and that we needed to walk it out in our lives by putting others first and giving of ourselves even when it was difficult. People were drawn to her and often spoke of her beauty inside and out. She was humble, gentle, and unassuming. While she never wanted attention, her heart and quietly powerful life made her stand out. When you knew Anne, you saw Jesus and you felt Him in her presence. To say she will be missed is not an adequate expression. For many, a very bright light is no longer present. As would be her desire, we must now all endeavor to bring the light back by speaking, acting, and living in a way that expresses a Living Christ. In this way her legacy of light and life will continue to shine on. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Duane; her children, Bruce (Terrie) and Lisa; and her beautiful granddaughter, Bethany Joy. The celebration of life, officiated by Terry Scott, will be held at West Siloam Springs Assembly of God on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

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Anne D. Schmidt

September 9, 1935 - February 28, 2024