Esther L. Schmidt, (nee Jautz), age 66, of West Bend, died on Monday October 25, 2010 at the Kathy Hospice.
She was born on May 6, 1944 in Milwaukee to the late Martin and Evelyn (nee Brunow) Jautz. Esther graduated from Nathan Hale High in the class of 1962, went on to earn a degree in Nursing from the Milwaukee County School of Nursing in 1965, and in 1984 she earned a BS in Health Arts from the University of St Francis in Joliet IL. On August 28, 1965 she was united in marriage to Jerry Schmidt at Mount Hope Lutheran Church in West Allis.
For 30 years Esther worked as a nurse at various hospitals in Milwaukee. In 2001 she earned her Masters in Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. For the past eight years she worked as a Chaplain at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, retiring on December 31, 2009. Esther's faith was very important to her. She enjoyed volunteering on mission trips. Esther also enjoyed traveling, camping, sewing, quilting and knitting.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry of West Bend; two children, Karl (Signe) Schmidt of Milwaukee and Daniel Schmidt of West Bend; two grandchildren, Gilbert and Freya Schmidt; her mother, Evelyn Jautz of West Allis; three sisters, Jane Lewis of Mayville, Marlyn Meier of Allenton and Dawn (Paul) Mortimer of Hartland; cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Esther was preceded in death by her father, Martin Jautz, and two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Meier and Francis Lewis.
A memorial service in remembrance of Esther will be held on Saturday, October 30th at 2:30 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 140 N. 7th Avenue, West Bend. Rev. David Schoob will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service.
Memorials to the Kathy Hospice are appreciated by the family.