Gwendolyn Marie Schmitt

June 29, 1931 – December 7, 2018

Gwen Schmitt passed away on December 7 ^th , 2018 in San Jose at the age of 87.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Schmitt.  She is survived by her son, Gary and his wife Gretchen and Gwen's three grandchildren, Nicole, Kristin and husband Blake and Courtney.   Gwen is also survived by her daughter, Janet and husband, Horst Brenner and Gwen's four grandchildren, Ryan, Eric and Alice and Gwen's great-grandchild, Sofia, then Lisa, and Sonja and husband, James Freeman.

Gwen was born in Floydada, Texas, and was predeceased by her parents Harold and Edna Ellis and by brother, Joe.  Gwen is survived by her sister, Etta Milani from Arizona.  Raised in Earth, Texas she attended Springlake School K-12.  She is also survived by a number of cousins and family throughout the U.S.

Gwen was married for 62 years to Donald Schmitt until his passing in 2011.  They met in Herford, Texas.  Gwen worked as a Beautician.  They married in 1952 in Lubbock, Texas.   Their daughter, Janet, was born in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Their son, Gary, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  After Don's discharge from the active duty in the Navy, they relocated to Palo Alto, CA.  Gwen worked in her home with her Daycare business for 30 years, while Don was employed at Lockheed for the next 28 years.

Also, Don and Gwen worked their cattle ranch, Dobbyn Creek Ranch,  in Humboldt County, Northern California since 1961.  As a pilot, Don was able to fly them in their private plane to keep in touch with family and friends in Texas and elsewhere.

At her request no services will be held.  Gwen's ashes will be placed with her husband's at their memorial site at their beloved Dobbyn Creek Ranch, Humboldt County.   In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Parkinson's Institute: thepi.org