Obituary of ANITA MARGARET SCHMIDT

ANITA MARGARET SCHMIDT (NEE LABBÉ) January 12, 1934 – May 27, 2020 Peacefully, on Wednesday, May 27, our dear Mom and Baba passed away at Beacon Hill Lodge in Winnipeg, with her two daughters by her side. She was 86 years old. Anita is survived by daughters Janet (Dave) and Susan (Claude); daughters-in-law Tara and Wanda; grandchildren Trevor, Katie, Chelsea, Lindsay, Cody and Steven; as well as great grandchildren Oliver, Aven, Luke, Riley and Ivy. She was predeceased by her husband Fred, sons Jigger and Fred, and granddaughter Miranda. Anita was born in Winnipeg and lived in Fisher Branch where she met Fred. They were married on April 6, 1953. She was very active in the community and was a member of the Catholic Women’s League, 4-H, and Community Centre. She and Fred owned and operated a grocery store and butcher shop. Anita was a very proficient seamstress, created beautiful Easter eggs, and developed a passion for art in many forms. She also enjoyed curling and golf. The family moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1972 when she and Fred went into the hotel/motel business. Anita worked with Fred in the motel and also developed her many skills as an artist and gourmet cook. At one point she taught cooking classes at the Medicine Hat College. Besides being involved with the church, she was a life-time member of the Medicine Hat Art Club. Anita was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1990. Her tenacity and determination allowed her to enjoy many more active years before choosing to live in a personal care home. After Fred passed on June 5, 2019, Anita moved back to Manitoba. We are so grateful to have had her nearby and able to spend time with family in Manitoba. We are also grateful to the wonderful staff on the 6th floor at Beacon Hill who gave her the most dignified and compassionate care. We will have a celebration of her life in Medicine Hat when the pandemic threat has subsided. She will then be interred along with Fred at Hillside Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Anita’s name can be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 Manning Road, N. E., Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5 or, to the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta, 101-928, Allowance Avenue, S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta.