Lauretta May Schmidt

Lauretta May Schmidt (nee Ribbens), age 96, passed away peacefully at Vivo Healthcare in Jacksonville, FL on April 8, 2024. She was born in the Town of Mitchell, Wisconsin, on February 17, 1928, to Herbert and Inga Ribbens. She grew up on farms in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, and attended Plymouth High School. She married Herbert Schmidt in 1946 and they had three children, Howard, Susan, and Gloria. Having moved to Jacksonville in the 1950s with her family, Lauretta lived in the same home until moving to Vivo Healthcare in 2022. She attended college and took accounting courses. During her career, Lauretta worked at Hallmark Cards and Barnett Bank in Jacksonville.

Lauretta is survived by her son Howard Schmidt (wife Jane Dahlgren), daughter Gloria Schmidt, grandsons Mathew Schmidt and Jason Register, great-grandson Jeremy Register and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her ex-husband Herbert, daughter Susan, both of her parents, and her siblings Wilbert, Wilma, Herbert, Chester and Jeanette.

Lauretta’s many interests included cooking for friends and neighbors and gardening. Lauretta's affection for cats was undeniable; her face would light up at the sight of them running around in the yard. She took great pride in helping as many as possible, but her heart belonged to a particular kitten she affectionately named Orangey.

She was a member of Lakeshore Family Fellowship in Jacksonville. Devoted to her faith, Lauretta generously volunteered her time and talents often finding discarded items on the roadside and diligently cleaning them and donating them to church, supporting those in need and participated in many church and community volunteer activities.

For years, her mornings were marked by coffee and conversation with her neighbor Dennis, discussing the day ahead and local news.

In times of need, Howard, her dependable friend, and neighbor, readily lent a hand with grocery runs and lawn care, faithfully visiting her regularly during her nursing home stay, he was always met with a warm smile.

For years, Iona another good friend would prepare some of Lauretta’s favorite soups. Lauretta looked forward to her visits and the tasty soups.

Another steadfast companion, Donna, stepped in to assist with household chores and the responsibility of caring for Lauretta's cats as they have now migrated to her house.

Family held a special place in Lauretta's heart, she welcomed yearly spring visits from her nephew John and his family from her hometown of Plymouth, Wisconsin, eagerly showing them around Jacksonville's cherished hot spots. She relished the Wisconsin cheese and sausage treats John sent each Christmas following a family tradition started by her brother Wilbert, she proudly declared her mission to introduce Floridians to the joys of cheese.

She will be greatly missed by her relatives, friends, neighbors, and her beloved kitties.

The Ribbens/Grosskreutz families would like to thank Aunt Lauretta’s neighbors Howard Waddell (wife Debbie) and Donna Rowland for their devoted care of Lauretta, especially in the later years of her life. We are also grateful to the staff at Vivo Healthcare and Pastor Troy of Lake Shore Family Fellowship for their diligence in her well-being.

Should anyone wish to make a memorial, a gift to a humane society would be most appreciated.