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Otis Schmidt Obituary
O.R. grew up in Texas City, TX, graduated from Texas City High School, and entered the University of Texas in Austin, where she lived in Littlefield Dormitory and became an upperclass advisor. The middle of her senior year she moved to the Christian Faith & Life Community, a lifechanging experience for O.R. as she grew in her Christian faith and made lifelong friends.
She received bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Texas in Austin. She worked as a reporter in Garland, TX. for the Garland Daily News but decided to pursue another career and took a job teaching high school English in Victoria, TX. From there she moved to Texas City High School and then to Karlsruhe, West Germany, where she taught in a high school for U.S. Army dependents.
Returning to the US, she earned a master's degree in English from Sam Houston State Teachers College, then took a position teaching writing and journalism at the State College of Iowa, which became the University of Northern Iowa.
When O.R. retired, she moved to Austin, where she shared a home with Claire Breihan, a friend from Community days at UT. They traveled, exercised, enjoyed friends and good food/drink, supported UT women's athletics, and stood weekly for peace with Women in Black in front of the State Capitol.
O.R. was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA, having served as a troop leader, president of a Girl Scout council, and a national trainer. An elder in the Presbyterian Church, O.R. was a faithful witness at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She loved her friends, her church, and her life.
A Celebration of Life service will be held January 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, followed by a reception for family and friends to gather in fellowship and share memories.
Gifts in celebration of O.R.'s life may be made to Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Westminster Presbyterian Church, or to a charity of your choice.
Memories and Condolences
for Otis Schmidt
Sponsored by Carnes Funeral Home - Texas City.
4 Entries
Katie Burns
January 30, 2026
I admit I barely knew her, but OR always seemed to make her presence felt. Rest in peace.
Judi Rockman
January 19, 2026
Blessed memories of O. R. and Claire and all the Women in Black. I am grateful for that opportunity - to stand for peace and experience the tide turn against the war, silent vigil (but often with bagpipe tunes). There is hope if we nurture it.
Beth Herrig Volz
January 13, 2026
OR was a wonderful professor. Her journalism classes at University of Northern Iowa classes were hands on hard work that provided the successful foundation I needed in my career. She was a great, fun and inspirational person.
Dee Vandeventer
January 12, 2026
I was so saddened to learn of O.R.´s passing. Early on in my career O.R. was a mentor to me on the Girl Scout board and at UNI. Her smile and enthusiasm for life will forever remain in my heart. Thank you O.R. Life well lived
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