Janice Schmidt

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. - Psalm 103:2-5

Janice Lorena Schmidt of Albuquerque, New Mexico died Nov. 18, 2024. She is survived by her three children, their spouses and her three grandchildren: Jan and Robb Miller with Joy and Matt Miller; Ted and Kelly Schmidt; Jo and Jeremy Luzier with Rory Luzier. She is also survived by four brothers, three sister-in-laws and one brother-in-law: Kim and Ann Estes, Tkay Estes, Kit Estes, Kyle and Kathy Estes, with Lavina Jo and Derald Grauberger. Lastly survived by her furry protector: Sara Jane Schmidt.

She was born in Pasadena, California January 28, 1937. During that first year, her family moved to Fresno, California. Then at age four, they moved to Lawrenceburg, MO. She lived in and around Lawrenceburg, MO for most of her childhood. In 1955, her family moved to Tucson, Arizona where she graduated high school, and began working for The Bell Telephone Company. After graduation, she began dating Ted Schmidt who she met at her local church. They married in 1963. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Arizona in 1968. She majored in Drama Education with a minor in English. Her first child, Jan Estes, was born in April of 1969. Jan and Ted, and little Jan, moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1970 - relocating to take advantage of Ted's career opportunities at Sandia Laboratories. Ted the Third was born in March of 1972 and Jody came along in May of 1975.

During the Albuquerque years, she had several seasons of working as a teacher in the public and private school systems. She and Ted worked together to build a real estate management company and traveled extensively, visiting most of the states in the continental US as well as Alaska and Hawaii. They visited Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Russia, and the Scandinavian Peninsulas. However, her greatest contribution beyond being a devoted wife, mother and grandmother was her generous and unwavering service to the Lord. Her faith was her foundation and her passion. She served as a Sunday School Director, Children's Program Director, Sunday School Teacher, as well as a Missionette and Royal Rangers Leader. She was also one of the founding members of the Ranger Heritage Foundation which provides resources for Christian training and is committed to the development of boys in a Christian atmosphere.

She is worth far more than rubies. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. - Proverbs 31

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers or gifts donations can be made to The Ranger Heritage Foundation. rangerheritage.org/donate