Mary Schmidt

Mary E. Lutes Schmidt, 90, of Fort Mitchell and Charleston, South Carolina, died peacefully Tuesday, November 15, 2016. She was born August 21, 1926 to Stella T. and Roy C. Lutes in Florence, Kentucky. Mary was the loving wife of Dr. William R. Schmidt for 34 years until his death in 1982. Together they had seven children. Mary lived most of her life in Northern Kentucky until recent years when she moved to Charleston, South Carolina to be near her daughter Linda.

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her friends and family for her kindness, graceful service, quick wit, and giving to others. She was dedicated to her family and her community. She was founder and president of the Fort Mitchell Garden Club, served as president of the Northern Kentucky Republican Women and was a member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church and the Fort Mitchell Country Club. She was a great supporter of the arts, historic homes and botanical gardens. Her many passions included cooking, playing bridge, crewel embroidery, gardening and entertaining her friends and family. She attended the University of Kentucky and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Dr. Thomas Lutes and Dr. Marvin Lutes; and sons, Gary Schmidt, Stephen Schmidt and Marvin Schmidt.

She is survived by her sisters, Jean Buckshorn of Bradenton, Florida, Barbara Ransler of Florence and Anne Myers of Lexington; four children, John Schmidt of Cincinnati, David Schmidt (Sharon) of Leesburg, Virginia (and children David Jr., William, Samuel, and Martha), Benjamin (Julie) Schmidt of Louisville (and children Benjamin Jr., Mary Margaret, David, and William), and Linda (Brian) Owens of Summerville, SC (and children Margaret and Nathan); daughter-in-law, Kathy Thoma (Luke) (and children Melissa (Brad) Stricker and Suzanne Schmidt); and two great-grandchildren, Jaden Stricker and Maddox Toepfert.

A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at Lakeside Presbyterian Church on Monday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. with burial following at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell. Visitation will also be at the church prior to the service, beginning at 1:00p.m. Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Erlanger, is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Lakeside Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.