Vaneta Louise Schmidt

1924 - 2019

Vaneta Louise Schmidt, age 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 5th, 2019 in Bellingham, WA. Vaneta was born on August 30, 1924 to George and Bertha Clark in Garden Grove, Iowa, a small town just outside of Des Moines. Vaneta shared with her family fond memories of her childhood, like riding her horse to school and spending time out in the barn with her grandpa. In 1946, she married Ed Schmidt with whom she raised their son, Roger Clark Schmidt, in Bellingham. She worked hard through this time at various jobs and helped Ed with his construction business. Vaneta had a quiet and personal relationship with the Lord. She was a spirited woman who would not take no for an answer. She was a strong-willed, determined, and humorous person with a firecracker personality. Vaneta was an active member of the Bellingham Golf and Country Club and enjoyed rounds of golf with her husband. Later, she enjoyed many years in her home in Sun City West, Arizona where she enjoyed rounds of golf, hikes, bike rides, time spent poolside, and visits from family. She was adventurous and a traveler, spending years going on road trips across the United States and even traveling across the world to Egypt. Her most enjoyed times were those spent with family. Vaneta loved her time with all of her family, especially all of the years spent enjoying the pool or staying up late playing card games around her kitchen table. She was especially ruthless when it came to winning at Skip-Bo or Aggravation. Vaneta never missed a birthday and was always right there to celebrate even the smallest victories of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended sports games, graduations, weddings, and birthdays. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, small secrets and stories she would share here and there, and her ability to always keep everyone around her on their toes. Vaneta was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and even a great-great-grandmother. Vaneta has many family members who will miss her dearly. She is survived by her sister, Norma Meyer and family, step-daughter, Virginia LaSalle (husband Ron), and their children Ronda Meadows, Jed LaSalle, and Sjon LaSalle, daughter-in-law Ruth Schmidt, grandchildren Joe Schmidt (wife Jodee), Becky Spyksma, and Amy Graham (husband Johnny), great-grandchildren Booker Schmidt (wife Jennifer), Jaydee Schmidt, Carson Schmidt, Naomi Spyksma, Natasha Spyksma, Brittany Beauchamp (husband Jeremy), and Rayder Frank, and great-great-grandchildren Nelli Cartznes, Reagan Schmidt, and two more great-great-granddaughters on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bertha Clark, brother, Pete Clark, husband, Ed Schmidt, son, Roger Schmidt, and great-granddaughter, Nicole Spyksma. A celebration of life in honor of Vaneta will be held Friday, January 3, 2020 at 11:30 am at Westford Funeral Home. A reception will follow. The service will be officiated by Pastor Bill Gilfillan. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day… unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed, and held very dear.” -Unknown We are so thankful for the many years of memories with Vaneta. We are also grateful to those at Westford Funeral Home, Pastor Bill Gilfillan, and the wonderful help over the years from the at-home caregivers who worked with Vaneta. You may share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.