Elizabeth "Bette" Schmidt
Elizabeth “Bette” Schmidt 1930-2025
Elizabeth Estelle Hewston Schmidt, aged 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 2, in Battlefield, Missouri. She was born on January 6, 1930, to George Stanley and Mildred Dorothy Hewston (née Havens) in Ventura, California. Bette’s father died in 1934, and her mother, Mildred, later met, was courted by, and married Vayne “Hutch” Hutchins in 1947. Hutch cared for Bette as if she were his own daughter, and Bette loved him like a father.
Bette dated only two boys in her life. When she met the second, Randolph Roland Schmidt Jr., during her junior year of high school, she was immediately smitten. They were married three years later, on February 18, 1950, in Ventura, California, and began to put down roots. Throughout the 1950s, Bette raised their three children and supported Roland in his career and during his service in the U.S. Army in Japan in support of the Korean War. In 1963 Roland, Bette and the children moved to Phoenix, Arizona for a new work opportunity.
In her early school years, Bette mastered shorthand and typing—skills that would serve her well. She only held two jobs from the age of 16 until she retired at 62. The first was working for the Ventura Star-Free Press after school and on weekends; the second was as a secretary for one of the Top 500 US Lawyers at the Phoenix law firm of Evans, Kitchel & Jenckes, from which she retired in 1992.
When Roland passed away in 1993, Bette devoted her time to helping those who had helped her. She volunteered with Hospice in Yavapai County, Arizona for over 20 years and made many friends. In 2015, Bette decided to move to Missouri to spend her final years with Sally and John.
Bette was talented at playing the piano, knitting, and quilting. She was an avid reader and loved visiting Europe and Hawaii. Her influence on those she touched will be felt for years to come.
Bette is survived by her children: Sally (John) Knotwell of Marshfield, Missouri; Randy (Mercedes) Schmidt of Dewey, Arizona; and Bill (Betty) Schmidt of Peoria, Arizona. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roland, her sister Barbara, and one great-grandson. Interment will be at Heritage Memorial Park in Dewey, Arizona at a later date.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the caregivers and staff of The Township Senior Living Center, where Bette spent her final two years. And to Seasons Hospice for their care and generosity during Bette’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Seasons Hospice, 1831 W. Melville Rd. Springfield, MO 65803 or plant a rosebush in her honor.