Eula M. Schmidt

Eula Marie (Moore) Schmidt, 95, formerly of French Village, passed away April 10, 2017 at St. Joe Manor in Bonne Terre after several years of debilitating health problems. She was born April 22, 1921 in Elvins, Missouri to the late William and Mauda (Jansen) Moore. She was the eldest of six children. Eula and Leon Joseph Schmidt were married May 11, 1946 in Fornfelt, Missouri. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the church in Cana, Israel (Holy Land) by renewing their vows. He preceded her in death January 3, 2013.

Survivors include three children, Sharon (Dennis) Scherer of Cape Girardeau, Robert (Jane) Schmidt and William (Louise) Schmidt both of French Village; three granddaughters, Tonya (Ron) Ampie, Kimberley (Chris) Bader and Margaret “Maggie” (Chris) Carr; one great-granddaughter, Avery Bader; one sister-in-law, Rosemary Halbert; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; son, John Joseph Schmidt; brother, Melvin Moore; four sisters, Mary Lawana Moore, Vidamae Hahn, Reva and Loretta Moore and most of her close friends and relatives.

Eula attended Notre Dame of Quincy Girls Academy, Quincy, Illinois, graduating in 1938. Post-secondary education was received from Southeast Missouri Teachers College, Mineral Area College and Washington University, St. Louis. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Washington University, graduating with honors in 1961. She was a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholastic Fraternity.

She taught elementary school for over 30 years in St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and southern Jefferson counties. Eula especially enjoyed the years she taught in the one-room rural schools. She had many pleasant memories and stories to tell of those years. She retired from North County R-1 school system in 1979. Her professional memberships included the Missouri State Retired Teachers Association and Mineral Area Retired Teachers Association.

After her retirement form teaching, Eula remained active in church and community activities as well as developing new interests. She obtained her realtor’s license, worked for the U.S. Census Bureau, did substitute teaching and researched the local history of French Village and St. Anne’s Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Anne’s Parish. For many years she lovingly served as organist, music leader, Eucharistic minister and Lector for the church. She was an active member of the Old Mines Area Historical Society. During retirement Eula was finally able to enjoy researching her family genealogy.

Eula and Leon traveled extensively after retirement. They visited many states in the U. S. including Alaska and Hawaii. Besides the Holy Land, they traveled to England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. They especially enjoyed the countries of their heritage.

Eula was a kind and caring person who will be remembered for her smile and positive approach to life. Her strength of character and faithful service to her family, church, community and circle of friends defined her life. She took great pride in her children and their accomplishments. One of her greatest joys was being a grandmother. She derived such pleasure from their activities, projects and accomplishments – Tonya receiving her Juris Doctorate, Kim giving her a great-granddaughter (Avery), Maggie studying education in Ireland and Avery earning her black belt in tae kwon do. She loved teaching and nurturing children. In June 2008 Eula and Leon made the difficult decision to leave the farm in French Village that they loved so dearly and move to St. Joe Manor in Bonne Terre. Eula continued to enrich the lives of others in Assisted Living with her kind ways and her infectious smile.

Eula’s family is grateful for the kind, compassionate care provided to her in the final years of her life by the staff of St. Joe Manor.

A memorial visitation will be held Friday, April 28, 2017 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the C. Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Bonne Terre with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 29 at 10:00 AM at St. Anne Church in French Village. In death, Eula donated her body for medical research at St. Louis University, and it is the wish of the family that memorials take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Foundation. View obituary and share condolences online at www.www.czboyer.com