Karen Kay Schmidt

Karen K. "Stevie" Schmidt, age 75, formerly of Chesterton, IN, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 14, 2026, in LaPorte, IN. Karen was born in Jacksonville, IL, on June 18, 1950, the first of four children to the late Thomas and Geraldine Stephenson. She grew up in Gary but later moved to Chesterton, where she graduated from Chesterton High School in 1968. On December 31, 1971, she was united in marriage to Allen Schmidt in Chesterton and remained there for the next three decades before moving to Westville in 2003. Karen regularly attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chesterton, where she put her faith in Jesus and surrendered her life to the Lord.

Karen worked as a car-hop at the local drive-in restaurant, a telephone operator for GTE, a cashier for Smedman's Super Market and she also was employed at Westchester Middle school for many years. Her favorite workplace (or just her favorite place to be) was in her home. She vacuumed and mopped the floors so often that she'd wear their surface off from cleaning before it could ever wear off from use. She enjoyed cooking but let's just say her kids liked it better when it was "cereal night" or "Little Caesars Pizza! Pizza! night" than "Karen's homemade meatloaf night". She did make a pretty stellar potato salad so every family holiday meal had to include potato salad on the menu whether it fit the theme or not. And although her curtains were always closed, her door was always open. There was always extra food, extra laughter, extra grace and a cup or two of sweet tea ready and waiting for whoever would stop by.

In her home, it always felt like Christmas, and not just because she left Christmas decorations out all year or because she had "It's a Wonderful Life" on an infinite loop, but more because of the way she made you feel there. No matter who you were, if you were in her home she loved you like you belonged there- because to her, you did. Karen was the heart of the family. She loved Jesus, loved her kids, family, friends and neighbors fiercely, and she somehow always found room to love a few more (Dani, Tina, Tachie, etc.). She had a way of making every person, young or old, feel seen and important. Many people still call her "Mom," and that's one of her greatest legacies.

Karen had very few hobbies but she did get great enjoyment from watching movies, reading books and making frequent purchases from the Home Shopping Network. She also enjoyed collecting snowmen, angels, purses, stuffed animals, and magnets. Oh, and she had a sweet tooth and in fact claimed to collect candy bars but nobody could ever find that collection.

Eight years ago, she excitedly moved into a new home – a nursing facility appropriately named Golden Living. Free from the burdens she had carried for so long and after surviving circumstances that tried to dim her light, she became alive again at that place – she had a renewed sense of purpose and finally stepped into a season that truly fit the name. She loved the carefree atmosphere. She embraced the social activities, the games and the gatherings. Even though she was confined to a wheelchair, she volunteered to lead the High Stepper class. She also had the honor of serving as the Resident Council President, the head liaison between the facility's residents and management team. She loved on everyone there and made friends easily, just as she always had, and the staff, residents (and residents' families), and even the entertainers quickly became her extended family. And then there was Doris, her roomie, her treasured companion, her best friend. Karen loved this place of Golden Living, of kindness and community, but most of all, she loved her Doris.

In addition to her husband, Allen, Karen is survived by five children: Kevin Schmidt and his wife, Julie, of Bremen, IN, Bill Else and his wife, Elisa, of Kouts, IN, Andy Schmidt and his wife, Kim, of Cropwell, AL, Keri Love and her husband, Jimmy, of LaPorte, IN, and Daniel Schmidt of Russellville, MO. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and her best friend, Doris. Her brothers Thomas (Craig) Stephenson and his wife, Nikki of Chesterton, IN, and Ricky Stephenson and his wife, Mary, of Blue Springs, MO, and Kim, the mother of three of her grandchildren, also survive. Awaiting her arrival in Heaven is her beloved grandson, Peyton Schmidt who passed before her in 2023. Karen was also preceded in death by her sister Paula Matthews and her husband, Bill, brother-in-law Robert Schmidt, sister-in-law Judy Pappas and her husband, Tony, and a nephew, Matthew Pappas - all dear and loving to her.

We will miss her love, the way she enjoyed the simplest of things, her support, her prayers, and her light that shined for Jesus. But we are grateful. Grateful for her sacrifices. Grateful for her faith. Grateful that she showed so many what unconditional love looks like.

Cremation has taken place per Karen's wishes with arrangements under the direction of Newhard Funeral Home of Westville, IN. The family will be hosting a public gathering to honor Karen's memory at Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty, IN, the place for so many of her favorite memories, on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at the Quaking Aspen Shelter from 4pm-7pm EST (3pm - 6pm CST). A communal service will also be hosted by the Brickyard Healthcare-Terrace Care Center (formerly Golden Living Center) located at 1900 Andrew Avenue, LaPorte, IN, on Friday, March 6 at 2:30pm CST for residents, staff or others who care to attend. Please note that the Brickyard service will have limited family in attendance; however, Karen's family would like to extend their appreciation to the kindness and support by the facility's staff and residents, especially during her final days. Any memorial contributions in Karen's honor may be made to the Brickyard Healthcare Activities Center.