Esther Marie Schmidt

Esther Marie Schmidt (Derks), 92, died Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Cumming Nursing Center in Cumming, GA. She fought a long and valiant battle with Parkinsons disease. She received last rites on January 12 from Father Paul at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church in Cumming GA.

Born in Conception Junction, MO on July 9, 1925, Esther was the daughter of John H. and Veronica L (Klaas) Derks. After graduating high school, she moved to Lincoln, NE, where she met and married Kenneth W. Schmidt in 1950. They moved to Charles City, IA for her husband's journalism career where Carla Marie was born. They moved to Racine, Wisconsin in 1955 where Pamela Kathryn and Gregory Kenneth were born. After another move in 1968 to Milwaukee, WI, Tracy Ann was born. Esther continued to live in the Milwaukee area (Glenwood, Shorewood, Wauwatosa) until 1988 when she moved to Denver, CO. She loved being near the mountains and reconnecting with relatives there. In 2006, she moved to St. Joe, MO briefly to be near her sister, Mary Walters and then to Atlanta in 2007 to be near her two oldest daughters.

Esther was an exceptional homemaker with a sense of style. She had earned a certificate in Interior Design in 1970 and worked off and on in the field for 15 years. She loved going 'antiquing' at garage sales. She was always put together well with eye catching earrings from her large collection. Esther was also an amazing caregiver for her grandchildren and was an inspiration for her two youngest children who struggled with mental illness.

What she will be remembered for no matter where she lived is her fiery independence, her sense of humor and her authentic, genuine style.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all but one of nine siblings, her husband and one grandson. Surviving Esther are her children: Carla (Bob) Baird, Pamela Schmidt, Gregory Schmidt and Tracy (Mauro) Lua and 8 grandchildren.

She chose to be cremated which will take place on January 17. She will be remembered with a Mass said in her honor at St. Brendan's at the end of January. In accordance with her wishes, her ashes will be scattered in the Colorado mountains near Denver later this year.

In lieu of cards of flowers, please dedicate a Mass or rosary to her at your favorite Catholic church or place of worship.