Obituary of Genevieve Lauesen Schmidt

Genevieve was born in Gustine, California, the daughter of Henry and Christine Lauesen. Her family moved to Santa Cruz when she was very young. She attended Santa Cruz schools and graduated from Santa Cruz High in 1937. She married Willis A. Schmidt in Santa Cruz in June 1940. She and Willis celebrated 69 years of marriage prior to his death in 2009. She and Willis had two children, Douglass and Joan. Douglass passed away in 1985. Genevieve was a wife and mother all of her life and very involved in her children's lives. She was involved in Scouting, PTA and was an advisor for the local girls organization Theta Rho for many years. Genevieve was a 50 year plus member of the Isabella Rebekah Lodge #17 of Santa Cruz where she served one term as their Noble Grand. She and Willis were very active in all the lodges activities and enjoyed life long friendships in the Independent Order of Oddfellows. She enjoyed family camping trips and spending many fun times at the vacation home she and Willis purchased in 1967 near Redding, CA. Her most memorable times were when all the children and grandchildren would gather there, especially over the 4th of July holiday. She will be greatly missed by her family...they always enjoyed her quirky sense of humor. You never knew when she would come out with some little quip. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Pike and her husband Paul of Santa Cruz, Her sister Frances Totten of Santa Cruz, grandsons Jeff Holdener of Santa Cruz, Michael Schmidt of Reno and Bryan Pike of Oklahoma. She is also survived by 16 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. Genevieve was preceeded in death by her husband Willis and son Douglass. A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday November 29, 2013 at 10:30 am at the Masonic Temple, 828 N Branciforte Ave in Santa Cruz. Contributions may be sent to the Hospice of your choice or Rebekah Children's Services, 290 IOOF Ave Gilroy, CA 95020.