Racheljane Mcdowell Schmidt

RACHELJANE McDOWELL SCHMIDT, longtime Brookshire resident, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012 in Katy, Texas. She was born on July 26, 1919 in Lockhart, Texas. As the fourth daughter of Sam and Berenice McDowell, she spent a happy childhood with her parents and three older sisters, Martha, Marian and Julie. Her active mind and advanced work ethic served her well as a student at Lockhart High School, and as a self-taught musician. When the Stock Market Crash of 1939 cut short her college education, she supported herself by playing piano accompaniment, and by working as a bookkeeper. During WWII she worked for the War Department at San Marcos Air Base as well as in Washington, D.C. Her skills were such that she told the story of having a general's staff car sent for her to help with an unsolvable bookkeeping mess in San Antonio. She solved the problem within 30 minutes. At the end of World War II, Milton Schmidt returned from the Army and the couple married on December 25, 1945. Milton and Rachel purchased Muske & Sons Funeral Home in Brookshire, Texas, and would build a life centered around raising a family, and serving the community. For many years, owning the funeral home also meant making ambulance calls. Over the years, it would have been difficult to find a family in Brookshire, Katy, or the surrounding areas who was not helped by the cool-headed emergency service supplied by the ambulance business, or the compassionate care Milton and Rachel gave to those who lost loved ones. There were no cell phones, pagers, or staff, no call waiting or call forwarding. This was a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, 365 day a year lifestyle. Small concessions were finally made; they put a telephone ringer outside the back door so that Milton could barbeque. And eventually, trusted employees allowed them to expand their world; they could drive out to Dalton's pond for a few hours and fish. In their home at 613 Purdy, life was good, if busy, with four active children. When they moved to Brookshire, the small Methodist Church was in need of an organist. For over 50 years, Rachel shared her gift with the congregation of this growing church. Through the years, her music became an integral part of life in Brookshire. Christmas and Easter cantatas, Bible School, weddings, funerals, community events, accompanying vocalists and high school musicians; Rachel used her gift in any and every way possible. Well into her 90's it was hard to find a piano that she could resist, and she could still draw a crowd. Whether she was playing for "sing-alongs" at Colonial Oaks, or trying out the baby grand in Methodist Hospital, she was doing more than playing notes; she was making music, and that music lifted hearts wherever she went. As the years passed, Milton and Rachel devoted themselves to making Brookshire a wonderful place for Hank, Marian, Carol and Steve to grow up. Yes, there were memberships in every possible organization, but while Milton was the public face, Rachel was the behind-the-scenes backbone. Beyond running the business and raising a family, she was the "go to" person for many aspects of civic life in Brookshire. Need altar cloths for the church? Call Rachel. Feed the Lion's Club? Call Rachel. Need a last-minute accompanist for Solo and Ensemble Contest? Call Rachel. Need a banner to stretch across Front Street for a parade? Call Rachel. And when a friend needed a strong shoulder, you didn't have to call Rachel because she was there. She did it all and she did it with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. After the loss of Milton in 1975, Rachel took over the reins of the business. Working with Hank and Steve, she ran a family-owned funeral business during a time when conglomerates were becoming the norm. She also managed the shopping center, which had become central to "downtown" Brookshire. In 1984, Hank and Steve took over ownership of the businesses, but Rachel continued working with them on a daily basis. Donna joined them in 1985. Whether Rachel was keeping the books, playing for funerals, or manning the phones, she was involved in daily operations. Into her 90's it was difficult to find a day when Rachel did not "go to the office." As Steve once said, "Momma wants to feel useful." Well, no problem. Over the years, Rachel Schmidt wore a lot of hats. Businesswoman. Musician. Wife. Mother. Mother-in-Law. Friend. Gimmaw. Out of all of these, if you wanted to know which hat brought her the greatest joy, the college-sticker-laden bumper of her car would tell the story. To the community, she may have a businesswoman or musician. But to her grandchildren, she was the lady who spray-painted her shoes, floated in the pool or Guadalupe with no effort, and still cooked red apples for every special occasion. She was the lady who exuded unconditional love, a quick sense of humor and a moral center for the family. And, as Ryan once said, "Gimmaw is a rock." She took great pride in the diversity of her children and their spouses, Sandy, Art, Robert and Donna, nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren! Wherever you find Rachel's children and grandchildren, they will be active in their respective communities, because that is what they learned from her. "Such an interesting group," she would say. Let it be said, that anyone who knew Rachel was blessed by her presence in their lives and the example she set. Rachel was predeceased by her husband, Milton, and her son, Steve. Survivors include her children: Hank and Sandy Schmidt, Marian and Art Lane, Carol and Robert Rupe, and Donna and Wayne Fricke. Grandchildren are Dr. Kris Schmidt and Dr. Arturo Gonzalez, Trey Schmidt, Courtney and Chris Blanton, Kimberly and Rob DiGilarmo, Amanda Storey Lane, Jennifer and Jason Allen, Elizabeth and Matt Henderson, Steven and Dawn Schmidt, and Ryan and Jessie Schmidt. Great grandchildren are Zach Snow, Alex and Henry Gonzalez, Brosnan Blanton, Lane DiGilarmo, Emily, Brandon, and Sarah Henderson, Tyler Schmidt, and Blake and Cade Schmidt. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, as well as numerous friends.