Janet "Jan" Bernice Schmidt, 97, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025. A cherished wife, mother, and friend, Jan will be remembered for her adventurous spirit and love of travel shared with her late husband, Bill.
Born on April 15, 1928, in Boston, Massachusetts, Jan was the daughter of Larry and Blanche Saunders. Jan's life took her across the country when she met William B. Schmidt, the man who would become her lifelong partner. They met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she was training to become a United Airlines stewardess. The two were married on March 13, 1954, in San Francisco. Following Bill's service in the U.S. Air Force, they settled in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she devoted her career to the Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Jan and Bill shared a deep passion for exploring the world. Whether journeying to distant destinations or discovering beauty closer to home, their love of travel reflected their shared curiosity and zest for life.
Jan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William ("Bill") B. Schmidt. She is survived by her sons, Larry W. Schmidt (Vicki) and Luke B. Schmidt (Sharon), grandchildren Blake Schmidt (Susan), Craig Schmidt (Sloan), Graham Schmidt, Margaret Schmidt, and Luke Schmidt, Jr., and 3 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Jan's life will be held at a later date
Born on April 15, 1928, in Boston, Massachusetts, Jan was the daughter of Larry and Blanche Saunders. Jan's life took her across the country when she met William B. Schmidt, the man who would become her lifelong partner. They met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she was training to become a United Airlines stewardess. The two were married on March 13, 1954, in San Francisco. Following Bill's service in the U.S. Air Force, they settled in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she devoted her career to the Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Jan and Bill shared a deep passion for exploring the world. Whether journeying to distant destinations or discovering beauty closer to home, their love of travel reflected their shared curiosity and zest for life.
Jan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William ("Bill") B. Schmidt. She is survived by her sons, Larry W. Schmidt (Vicki) and Luke B. Schmidt (Sharon), grandchildren Blake Schmidt (Susan), Craig Schmidt (Sloan), Graham Schmidt, Margaret Schmidt, and Luke Schmidt, Jr., and 3 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Jan's life will be held at a later date
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