Nancy Jean Martell Schmidt

Nancy Jean Martell Schmidt

May 9, 1938 – February 19, 2026

Nancy Jean Martell Schmidt, age 87, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at Brewster Place, Sunflower Hall, in Topeka, Kansas.

Nancy was born on May 9, 1938, in Romeo, Michigan, to Cecil and Janet Martell. She grew up on the family orchard alongside her sisters, Patricia and Mary - a childhood that shaped her love for family, heritage, and tradition. She graduated from Romeo High School with academic honors and served as class secretary. On the evening of her high school graduation, she became engaged to her high school sweetheart, William Albert Schmidt. They were married one month later, on July 28, 1956, beginning a devoted marriage that would span 69 beautiful years.

While William pursued a career in the building materials retail industry, Nancy faithfully embraced her role as homemaker, supporting her husband and raising their family as they lived in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and eventually Kansas. In 1972, Nancy and Bill founded Topeka Lumber Company. As bookkeeper, she worked side-by-side with her husband to grow the company into a successful and thriving business with multiple locations throughout northeast Kansas.

In retirement, Nancy and Bill made their home in Naples, Florida, where they enjoyed boating and the gift of unhurried time together.

Nancy possessed a deep love for genealogy, tracing her family lineage back generations - even to Charlemagne of France. Alongside her sister Patricia and a distant relative in Canada, she conducted extensive research and co-authored two books: The Eaton Family of Nova Scotia 1929 and Exploring Our Family Tree. She also lovingly compiled her mother's poems and preserved family stories dating back to the 1800s so they would not be forgotten.

One of Nancy's greatest expressions of love was through her knitting. She created countless baby hats, blankets, sweaters, and booties - gifts given freely to loved ones, acquaintances, Ronald McDonald House, children receiving treatment at cancer centers, and even to an orphanage in Africa. Each stitch was a quiet prayer and a labor of love, wrapping others in warmth and care.

Nancy was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church and lived her life grounded in faith, steady devotion, and practical wisdom. She was known for her gentle strength and often reminded her family, "Alls you can do, is the best you can do."

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband, William Albert Schmidt; her son, Timothy (Kimberly) Schmidt of Leawood, Kansas; her daughters, Mary Jo Duncan (John) of Topeka, Kansas, and Patricia (Jeff Moffett) of Naples, Florida; her grandchildren, John William Duncan of Kansas City, Missouri; Miranda Scott (Spencer) of Kansas City, Missouri; Connor Schmidt (Pamela) of Fairway, Kansas; and her great-grandchildren, Liam Schmidt, Henry Schmidt, and Lilly Scott.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia Martell.

Services are private.

Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity in her honor, in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

Nancy's life was marked by devotion - to her husband, her family, her faith, and to generations she would never meet but lovingly served. Her legacy lives on in the stories she preserved, the business she helped build, and the countless lives warmed by her hands.

Condolences may be sent online at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com