Rebecca "Becky" Schmidt

Rebecca “Becky” Schmidt, 76, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, after a courageous three-year journey with frontotemporal dementia. While her family grieves the loss of someone they loved beyond words, they also celebrate a life that was remarkably well lived, defined not only by what Becky accomplished, but by the countless people she welcomed, encouraged, and loved along the way.

Born on April 4, 1950, in Decatur, Indiana, Becky graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School before earning her nursing degree from Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago in 1971. She married the love of her life, Daniel Schmidt, on August 28, 1971, beginning a partnership that would span more than five decades.

Nursing was never simply Becky’s profession. It was an extension of her heart. She began her career as an emergency room nurse before caring for newborns and children as a neonatal and pediatric nurse. After moving to Auburn in 1976, she balanced raising a young family with working at DeKalb Memorial Hospital before discovering another calling as the Health Occupations Education teacher at DeKalb High School. There, she inspired hundreds of students to pursue careers in healthcare, sharing not only knowledge but compassion.

Her commitment to caring for children and families extended far beyond her career. Becky served on the DeKalb County Child Protection Team for more than 30 years and was a charter board member of the Northeast Indiana Women’s Care Center, where she continued to advocate for mothers and babies. She gently guided countless new parents through the overwhelming first days of parenthood, offering reassurance, wisdom, and confidence. To celebrate each new life, she lovingly gifted personalized wooden name stools, sharing hundreds of these treasured keepsakes with families over the years.

Some people are remembered for what they accomplished, but Becky will be remembered for how she made people feel. She possessed a rare gift for making strangers feel like old friends and friends feel like family. With sparkling eyes and a contagious laugh, she made everyone she met feel valued and welcome. Hospitality wasn’t simply something she practiced. It was who she was.

Her home was a place where there was always room for one more. Friends of her children quickly became “her kids,” and years later, she welcomed her grandchildren’s friends with that very same warmth. Whether you had known Becky for decades or had just walked through her front door for the first time, you left feeling like you belonged. She was always ready with a hug.

Family was the greatest joy of Becky’s life. She embraced every role wholeheartedly as a room mother, field trip chaperone, show choir mom, devoted wife, proud mother, and adoring grandmother.

Each grandchild looked forward to one of Becky’s favorite traditions: “Grandma Day.” Each year, every grandchild enjoyed a special day that belonged entirely to them. After days filled with laughter and adventure, the grandchildren needed a nap, but Grandma never seemed to.

Becky loved sharing life’s experiences with those she loved. Chicago held a special place in her heart. Every time she crossed the skyline bridge, she would smile and say the city was sunny to welcome her. New York City was another favorite destination. She delighted in planning itineraries for anyone traveling there, eager to share favorite restaurants, Broadway shows, and hidden gems. She loved the music of Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand, and she never lost her appreciation for the excitement and beauty of a great city.

Some of her happiest moments were found much closer to home at Lake Gage. Summers were spent pulling children, grandchildren, and their friends behind the boat on tubes until everyone was laughing too hard to hold on.

Music filled Becky’s home throughout her life. Family and friends gathered around the piano to sing favorite hymns and Christmas songs. She faithfully served Trinity Lutheran Church for many years, directing the children’s choir and sharing her beautiful voice at weddings and special occasions. Like everything else she did, music became another way to bring people together.

Becky also believed in the power of handwritten words. She never missed an opportunity to send a thoughtful note or write a meaningful card. She had a remarkable way of finding exactly the right words to celebrate, comfort, and encourage.

Becky’s greatest legacy lives on in the people she loved so well. Her story is found not only in her family, but in former students she inspired, new parents she encouraged, children she welcomed, friends she embraced, and every person who walked away from her feeling a little more at home.

She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 55 years, Dan; her children, Andy (Stacy) Schmidt of Auburn, Mary Maxfield of Indianapolis, and Anna (Bryan) Marr of Auburn; her cherished grandchildren, Connor Schmidt, Reese Schmidt, Quinn Schmidt, Katelyn Jayroe, Keira Jayroe, Marion Marr, Goldie Marr, Harper Baker, and Hudson Baker, who were truly the light of her life; her brothers, John (Norma) Schroeder and Jim (Susan) Schroeder; her sister, Elizabeth Gerardot; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, former students, and the countless families whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Betty Schroeder; her mother-in-law, Nadine Schmidt; and her beloved daughter, Sarah Baker, whom she now embraces once again.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1801 North Main Street in Auburn, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 am Wednesday prior to the service at the church.

A private family committal service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from 1:00 to 7:00 pm at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 South Center Street in Auburn.

Memorial donations may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool, 1801 North Main Street, Auburn, Indiana 46706 and Women’s Care Center, 918 W. Seventh Street, Auburn, Indiana 46706.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Auburn.

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