Leora (Lee) Schmidt, 93, passed away at Tayon's Adult Family Home in Grandview on February 8, 2015.
She was born January 27, 1922, at home on Rattlesnake Hill (north of Prosser) to John and Ida Hamilton. She grew up and lived most of her years in Prosser. Lee breezed through school and graduated at 16 years of age, then went to beauty school in Yakima. For a short time, she cooked at a mine in Idaho and then returned to Prosser.
Lee and her second husband, Virgil, owned and operated Schmidt's Variety Store in downtown Prosser until the mid-1970s. After she sold the store and "retired," she co-owned and operated a smaller craft and fabric store in Prosser. She loved to teach and share her passion and skills in sewing, crocheting, knitting, cooking, baking, candy-making, cake-decorating, furniture upholstering and many other crafts and skills.
She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the local square dancing club, the Grange, the Women's Club and many other groups. She loved to travel and even swam in Hawaii in her new swimsuit when she was 70.
Lee loved her family and friends with a very large and generous heart. She had a way of making each and every person in her life feel that her world revolved around that person. She had a great sense of humor; was kind, gentle, patient, modest, accepting, selfless, always positive, and very loving and forgiving.
She is survived by her son, Frank Allman; her grandson, Stuart; and many nieces and nephews.
She lived every day thinking of others and how she could serve them. She reveled in planning family gatherings, birthday parties, and holiday meals. Lee was a phenomenal Christ-like role-model and a bright and shining influence in many lives and will be greatly missed.
At her request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. You may sign the online guestbook and leave a message of condolence for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com