Korleen Schmidt
1932 – 2024
Korleen (nee Wilson) Schmidt was born in Brockville, Ontario on January 17, 1932 to parents Gladys (nee Sharkey) and Udney Wilson. As an only child she spent her early years experiencing farm life with her parents and grandparents. A favourite memory was taking a packed lunch box in the morning and going off to explore the fields and river with friends with no expectation of returning until dinner. Korleen was later raised by her Aunt and Uncle, Pearl and Dr. Cecil Rudolph, in Brantford from her adolescence to adulthood. She understood the importance of extended family to raise a child in love.
Korleen met her life partner, Lloyd Schmidt, when she was just a toddler, with the earliest picture of our parents together at the age of two and four years respectively. They dated as young adults and were married in 1955 after much wooing and assurance of a wonderful life together in Hanover. Korleen and Lloyd raised four children, Lani (Cam Lorenz) of Hanover, Kathe Frazee of Cambridge, Alex (Ronda) of Florida, and Angela (Father Ed Wagner) of Holland Centre and were blessed with eleven grandchildren (Lisa, Julia, Laura, Patrick, Bradley, Rachel, Benjamin, William, Joseph, Abigail, Graeme) and three great grandsons ( Perry, Cammy and Marsden).
Mom loved food and travel. Korleen made family meal time a place to taste world cuisine and pored over cookbooks to plan creative meals. Starting in 1966, the family enjoyed many vacations together exploring all Canadian provinces, many Caribbean islands, Hawaii and a whirlwind trip through Europe in 1977. Her passion was to travel and at last count she and Lloyd travelled to over forty countries. Several times they accompanied their lifelong friends, Pastor Barry and Alice Lang, into the jungle to have the honour of meeting native peoples. They learned not to ask what they were being served!
Korleen had a career in teaching and business. She began as an elementary school teacher in Toronto teaching kindergarten and grade 5/6. Later she supply taught in Hanover. She also developed her entrepreneurial business side by becoming an area rep for the California based Hilcoa Aloe Vera company, promoting quality vitamins and aloe vera healthy products for over twenty years. She even was the on-air spokesperson for live television ads for Smitty’s Fine Furniture through CKNX in the mid 1950s. Throughout their marriage, Korleen remained Lloyd’s supportive partner as he developed Smitty’s Fine Furniture.
The playful side of Korleen showed up in her and Lloyd’s participation in the Hanover Little Theatre group and the Grey Bruce Singers, including a live performance of HMS Pinafore at Ontario Place and Stratford Theatre. She loved organizing dinner parties that were theme based complete with rhyming invitations, skits and songs and authentic dress by all invitees. The Scottish night and the Hawaiian Luau stand out in our memory for the house was decorated accordingly.
Korleen was a born organizer and public speaker. She chaired the Christian Women’s Club for the Grey/Bruce area, church councils, Lutheran Church Women, Hanover University Women’s Club, volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society for over 30 years, and also served with Stonecroft Ministries. After her children, Korleen would name her speaking engagements for Christian Women’s Club across Canada as one of her greatest contributions. She learned to tell her story as a daughter of divorce in a time when it was uncommon and shamed, and how she experienced the traumatic shift to the Brantford high school after a one room school house. She wove in her experience of finding faith in Jesus Christ. This shared love of God for Korleen and Lloyd was nurtured through the Christian Ashram movement which had been brought to Canada by her Aunt Pearl Rudolph. Deep in Korleen’s heart was a call to ministry. In her sixties, she completed a Master of Theology degree and became the Associate Minister of Pastoral Care at Grace United Church in Hanover working with Rev Doug Kaufman, connecting with families for care and support.
Korleen had a knack in finding amazing people to work with, have dinner with, and travel with. Many, including Lloyd, have gone on ahead of her and we imagine that there will be a great reunion, a wonderful celebration that will happen as she too joins Lloyd, friends and family in heaven. No doubt it will be a themed dinner with lots of good food and laughter.
Korleen died at 91 years old on Monday, January 8, 2024. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. The funeral service will be on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Grace United Church in Hanover, Ontario at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation at the church at 10:00 a.m. and a lunch to follow the service. Memorial donations may be made online to Oxfam Canada at www.oxfam.ca. or to Grace United Church in Hanover.
We love you Mom. Thank you for being an incredible role model and for filling us with your love. Your grateful and devoted family.
Arrangements entrusted to Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services.