Elizabeth M. Schmitt, 93, formerly of Ballwin, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, surrounded by her five favorite daughters.

Elizabeth was a beautiful, gentle soul and a devout Catholic. She always felt God's presence in her life, and through Him she was both comforted and strengthened. Despite declining health following a stroke in March 2024, she remained pleasant and sweet to the end.

She was the beloved wife of the late John D. (Jack) Schmitt, to whom she was married for 46 years, and was the treasured daughter of the late Matthew and Barbara Reitz and dear sister of Catherine Andres of Wesley Chapel, Florida. She was the adored mother of five daughters: Linda Schmitt of Florissant; Judy Schmitt of St. Louis; Janice (Jeff) Yonke of Overland Park, Kansas; Sharon (Ron) Tucker of Bloomsdale; and Theresa Schmitt of Florissant. Also left to cherish her memory are seven grandchildren: Andrew, Erin, and Lauren Yonke and Sam, Flynn, Truman, and Jackson Tucker; her sister-in-law Marjorie (John) Ley; and many nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth, the eldest of two girls, was born in South St. Louis on February 5, 1932. She always had strong memories of her childhood, especially the times she spent with her grandparents and the friendships she made while attending St. Elizabeth Academy. Following high school, she was employed for many years as a secretary. In 1960, she traveled with friends to explore Europe, where she spent three months making lifelong memories and connecting with family she had known only through stories and letters. This voyage planted the seed for a love of travel that she was able to indulge with Jack in her later years - - whether he liked it or not.

In the early 1960s, she was a member of the "Cathedral Club," a social group for single Catholics in St. Louis. During her term as Secretary and Newsletter Editor for the group, she met and fell in love with one of the other officers, Jack Schmitt. Their first official date was New Year's Eve, the last day of 1964, and they were married October 16, 1965, at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in South St. Louis. Between 1966 and 1973, they welcomed five daughters. In 1968 they moved to a newly built subdivision in Black Jack, Missouri (in North St. Louis County) and joined the parish of St. Christopher, where Elizabeth sang in the church choir and often performed solos. She was very involved with the church, serving as both Eucharistic Minister and lay minister for the RCIA. She was also a busy stay-at-home mom. When she wasn't cleaning, cooking, or running after children, she spent her time sewing outfits, gardening, decorating for holidays, reupholstering furniture, cross-stitching, and working on her ceramics projects. She was talented at everything she tried.

In 1997, once the girls were grown and Jack was retired, she and Jack moved to Ballwin, Missouri. There, they joined the parish of Holy Infant, where Elizabeth sang in the church choir and participated in the Holy Infant Seniors and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus. She was an active and much-loved member of her church community.

It is with heavy hearts that her daughters say a final goodbye to Elizabeth, but they take comfort in knowing she has earned her place in heaven and is most certainly reunited with Jack and all the family and friends she loved.

Friends may visit from 9:00-10:20 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, at SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway in Ballwin, Missouri. The family invites visitors to stay for the rosary from 10:20-10:45 a.m., then join the procession to Holy Infant Catholic Church in Ballwin, Missouri. The funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. For those who are unable to join us in person, the funeral will be livestreamed.  Here is the link: https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-elizabeth-schmitt--all-rights-reserved-streamed-with-permission-under-one-license-a-704928-jtbokxov6wrzjzep4yed , followed by a procession to the Holy Cross Cemetery chapel (covered but not enclosed, so dress warmly) in Ellisville, Missouri. Guests are then invited to return to Holy Infant for a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mother of Good Counsel Home , 6825 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121. The family is grateful to the Home's staff and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George for their excellent physical and spiritual care of Elizabeth in her final years. Other options for giving are Gentiva Hospice , 12125 Woodcrest Executive Dr., #220, St. Louis, MO 63146; or Holy Infant Catholic Church , 627 Dennison Dr., Ballwin, MO 63021. Masses are also appreciated.

Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.