Kathy Wodrich Schmidt

Kathy Louise Wodrich Schmidt, age 55 of Elk Grove Village passed away on Friday, August 16, 2019 with her daughter, her father, her brother, and her husband at her side at JourneyCare in Barrington, IL. She battled cancer and suffered multiple strokes in recent years. She is now with her Lord in heaven.

She was born on October 8, 1963 in Valparaiso, IN to Wayne Warren Wodrich, and Dorothy “Dodie” Irene Wodrich (deceased). She is survived by her father Wayne of Valparaiso, IN, her brother David Steven Wodrich (wife Lisa Dawn (Trinkler) Wodrich) of Chesterton, IN, her husband of 33 years William Donald Schmidt, her daughter Emily Louise Schmidt (both of Elk Grove Village, IL), and her two cats (Tanoshii (meaning pleasant or delightful), and Aiko (meaning love child)). Emily currently attends Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL.

Her grandparents include Emma Sophie (Droegemueller) Plass (deceased), George Hugo Plass (deceased), Dorothy Louise (Dost) Wodrich (deceased), and Earl Lawrence Wodrich (deceased). Her uncles include Glen Earl Wodrich, and Kenneth Kay Wodrich (wife Cynthia Kae (McGrath) Wodrich) and her first cousins include Eric Owen Wodrich (deceased), Adam Curtis Wodrich (wife Eloisa Santiago (Nunez) Wodrich), and Aaron Teague Wodrich (wife Jennifer L (Harriet) Wodrich). Second cousins include Kari Binford (Snick) Schnurpfeil, Kevin Jerald Snick, and July Irene (Zdeb) Perry.

Her mother and father in-laws include Charles Joseph Trinkler, Linda Dawn (Groff) Trinkler, Donald Herbert Schmidt (wife Susanne), and Judie Lee (Reck) Schmidt (deceased). Her brothers and sisters in law include Lara Diane (Trinkler) Bernichio (husband Joseph Bernichio), Thomas Allen Schmidt (wife Dena Lynn (Weatherford) Schmidt), David Llyod Schmidt (deceased), Larry Edward Schmidt (wife Nancy Jean (May) Schmidt), and Laura Suzanne (Schmidt) Balinao (husband Audie Asan Balinao). Her nephews and nieces include Ethan Charles Wodrich, Abby Josephine Wodrich, Emma Dawn Wodrich (deceased), Joseph David Schmidt, Melissa Sue (Hatmaker) Dewey, Kierri Suzanne Hatmaker, Melony Lynn (Schmidt) Covault, and Benjamin Elliott Weatherford.

She attended Immanuel Lutheran School (Valparaiso, IN), Valparaiso High School, Butler University (BA), Indiana University (MLS), and Winona State University (MBA). She befriended Cathy Peters in the first grade at Immanuel, and Cathy was later a bridesmaid in Kathy’s wedding on July 19, 1986 to her husband William. Her beloved childhood cat was Lo Mi (deceased) who was her constant companion around the house.

Kathy was a gifted cello player and was a National Merit Scholarship Finalist while at Valparaiso High School. She earned a full academic scholarship from Butler University which she maintained through all four years. She met her husband through her roommate Valarie Weber at a Butler University Marching Band social function. She had many fond memories about her friendships from and participation in the Butler University Marching Band (including her love of Earth, Wind and Fire songs).

She was a librarian for the past 34 years in both university and public libraries in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. She served on various American Library Association committees, and severed at one point as the Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club in La Crosse Wisconsin. Early in her career, she worked multiple jobs for a year and a half to enable her husband William to transition from sales position with the Boy Scouts of America to the accounting profession.

She loved books, comic strips, puzzles, board games, cards, Monty Python, the Amazing Race, game shows (old and new), musicals, plays, movies, and trees. Her husband and daughter reminisce about the zany lyrics that she applied to familiar pop tunes and her general silliness with her daughter Emily. Additionally, they will always remember her laughing so heartily while watching sitcoms that she already watched time and time again. Kathy’s homes in Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois had plenty of beautiful mature trees. If the house didn’t already have trees, she and her husband brought trees to the properties.

Kathy‘s parents instilled a real passion for and love of traveling, hiking, and visiting zoos. She talked many times about a trip around the world that she made with her parents. She also lived with her parents and brother in Guam for two years. The family developed a real connection each other frequently reminiscing about the experience year’s later at family gatherings.

She visited the vast majority of the major National Parks and states/provinces in the United States and in Canada during her lifetime. She loved to hike and visit any local zoos along the way. She maintained memberships to the local zoos wherever she lived and visited them frequently by herself or with family members.

In addition to her trip around the world, she made trips to England (twice), France, Germany, Italy, Greece and other Mediterranean countries. She fell completely in love with cruises after her Hawaiian and Mediterranean cruises with her husband and daughter (and her father in the case of the Hawaiian trip). These trips represented her final family vacations, and were fantastic experiences for everyone.

Kathy especially wanted to thank Doctor Gary I. Grad and the many doctors, nurses, and patient care techs that helped her during the past couple of years. She was also thankful for the friends that she made throughout her long career as a university and public librarian.

Visitation will be on Saturday, August 31, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and funeral services will be from 11:00 a.m. to 11.45 a.m. (officiated by Rev. Stephen Schumacher of Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, IL) at Kuiper Funeral Home (9039 Kleinman Rd, Highland, IN 46322). The funeral procession will start following the funeral service, and the graveside services will be 15 to 20 minutes away at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens (8178 Cline Ave, Crown Point, IN 46307).

The family wishes to advise attendees that Kathy asked to be cremated so the visitation and services will be with her remains in lieu of a viewing. Additionally, the family hopes that you will share your memories and words of comfort on the funeral home website at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/highland-in/kathy-schmidt-8822692.

The Schmidt and Wodrich families established a memorial fund at the Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532) in memory of Kathy. The families encourage contributions to this fund in lieu of flowers to provide for a tribute tree and a living tribute to her life and her love of trees. Please visit https://giving.mortonarb.org/tribute, enter your name, select “in memory of” under “Type,” specify “Kathy Schmidt” under “Description,” and specify the amount of your gift. Alternatively, the Arboretum accepts gifts for this memorial fund over the phone if you call Nancy at 1.630.725.2027 to make your tax deductible donation.