Ethel Elaine (Schmidt) Knight

Ethel Elaine Knight went home to her Lord and Savior on January 13, 2022. Mom was born in Gackle, North Dakota on July 13, 1940 to loving parents, Leah and Walter Schmidt. The family moved to Washington state when she was three years old and eventually settled in Everett. Mom attended Everett Public Schools, graduating from Everett High in 1958.

During her senior year, Mom met her future husband, Robert, while working at Newberry’s department store in the candy department. Dad had a sweet tooth and he soon became sweet on Mom. Since Dad was the assistant manager, they secretly dated and were wed the following year on January 17, 1959. Shortly after they married Dad was drafted into the service and Mom joined him in Monterey, CA where he was stationed. While in California, Mom worked at Pebble Beach Golf Course, where she had fun meeting Hollywood celebrities; two highlights were Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. The young couple returned to Everett in 1961 where they raised their three children Tracy, Lori, and Todd.

Family was very important to Mom and she was a hard worker. She maintained the family home, managed her children’s carpool for their clubs and sporting events, tended to her flower gardens, and hosted family dinners, as well as organizing Schmidt family reunions. She managed all this while raising three children and working full time.

Part of the first generation of women who had the opportunity to both be a mother and have a career, Mom went to work for Everett Public Schools in 1967. First working in the district’s business department, she later became the treasurer at Everett High. She was a beloved figure at the high school, and she enjoyed mentoring students, as well as chaperoning DECA students at competitions before retiring from EHS in 2004.

Mom and Dad shared their love for travel with us. Mom’s happy place was in the warm sunshine, near a pool or a white sandy beach, preferably with a fun drink in hand. When we were children, we took many road trips visiting friends and family in California, Idaho and Arizona and all states in-between. We ventured to Disneyland, Yellowstone, and Boston. Our first family trip outside of the US was to Jamaica, The Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands. Mom loved to visit Hawaii and any place in the Caribbean or Mexico. She and Dad enjoyed cruising and sailed annually for many years. She loved the sun so much that after retiring, she wintered near her sister’s home in Fountain Hills, AZ from 2005 – Fall 2021.

Mom was a long-time member of Bethel Baptist and First Baptist Church of Everett and attended Fountain Hills Baptist Church in Arizona. Mom enjoyed singing in the choir and the fellowship it brought with her church friends. She and her sister, Carol often sang duets in church while growing up. Additionally, Mom enjoyed playing the piano throughout her life.

Memories we will cherish forever include helping Mom decorate for the holiday, while singing along with the Christmas songs playing in the background; spending time together as a family during the holidays; and baking Christmas cookies with Mom and the grandkids. The grandkids also have fond memories of Grandma and Grandpa taking them camping each summer in their motorhome.

Mom pushed to continue living life to the fullest until her heart suddenly gave out. She was a good listener and helped us navigate our challenges and endeavors in life. We will always remember Mom for her support and tender loving care.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Robert D. Knight; her parents, Walter and Leah Schmidt; brother, Ralton Schmidt; and brother in-law Wesley Prinzen. She is survived by her sister, Carol Prinzen; her children, Tracy Dickinson (Joseph), Lori Knight-Ackerman, and Robert Todd Knight; grandchildren, Jessica Dickinson, Meghan Jordan (Matthew), and Ryan Ackerman; great-grandchildren Mars and Maverick Jordan and many nieces and nephews, as well as her loyal fur baby, Lilly.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4505 Broadway Ave, Everett at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4. Viewing will be on February 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on February 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Graveside service will follow on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 2:30 PM at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, 1615 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208. Please join us for a reception following. Washington State Covid protocols will be followed. Please wear a mask.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-FH.com for the Knight family.