Richard and Maj-Lis Schmidt

Maj-Lis Irma Persson was born on June 12, 1946 in Sweden, to Irma and Gunnar Persson. At seven she would travel by boat to the United States with her parents and older brother Bob. Her family settled in California where Maj-Lis quickly picked up English and adapted to American traditions. She loved sewing, gardening, decorating, and keeping up with American politics.

Maj-Lis grew up in the Church and committed her life to Christ as a young girl which set her on a path following the Lord all her life. She felt a calling to advocate for the defenseless and pursued pro-life and animal causes. After high school Maj-Lis worked as a secretary and at accounting offices doing billing and bookkeeping.

Richard Joseph Schmidt Jr. was born on June 24, 1951 in northern California, to Imogene and Richard Schmidt. Richard grew up with his older sister, Susan, and enjoyed playing baseball, the guitar, and developed a love of collecting. His love of old movies and memorabilia became a passion that would continue for decades. When Richard was a teen, the family moved to La Canada Flintridge where Richard attended high school and participated in theater productions.

Richard went to USC for a bachelor of arts degree. In 1977 he received a Master’s degree at Cal State in Speech Pathology. He went on to become a speech therapist for the next forty years.

Richard and Maj-Lis’ paths would cross in the early 80s. Richard was a speech pathologist at an office where Maj-Lis worked in the accounting department. They married in Kauai, Hawaii on March 4, 1985 and made their first home in Encino. They welcomed their daughter, Annika Elizabeth, on May 19, 1987.

In 1995 the family settled in Santa Clarita which would become their forever home. Richard grew in his private practice serving patients with strokes and developing disabilities. Maj-Lis had always wanted to be a mom and thrived being a homemaker. She also developed a passion for interior design and pursued part-time work as a caretaker for individuals with special needs. Richard and Maj-Lis were both called to jobs of service.

The family had fond memories of road trips, holidays with dear friends, track meets and piano recitals, and beach trips. In 2009, Richard and Maj-Lis gained a son when their daughter married Steve Round. Becoming grandparents to their three grandchildren brought them immeasurable joy. Maj-Lis babysat her grandchildren often and with her gentle nature, instilled in them a love of the Lord and music.

Maj-Lis was diagnosed with dementia in early 2023. Even as she battled this illness, she kept her love of Christ and her family. Richard was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 2024. Through many treatments, he was resilient. He remained strong for his loved ones and fought until the very end. However, when he learned that his beloved wife had passed after a recent hospitalization, he knew it was time to leave this earthly body and join his wife in the presence of his Savior. Richard died thirteen days after his wife. They are survived by Annika and Steve and grandchildren Elsie, Wyatt, and Adalyn.