On Friday, February 28, 2025, Grace Clara Etter Schmidt, age 98, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace was the fifth child born to Frederick W. and Clara (Ahr) Etter. She was born on a family farm in the Sauz Community in West Bexar County on January 19, 1927. She attended a one-room school in Sauz for six out of 8 years. The other two years of her education were spent at St. Mary's Catholic school in LaCoste, TX which is now Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.  During this time, and while she attended high school, she lived with her grandparents in LaCoste, TX.  Grace graduated from LaCoste High School in May, 1944 as valedictorian.

After graduation Grace moved to Hondo and began working for the AAA Office. She soon met George J. Schmidt and, after his return from the army, they married on September 9, 1947. They were married for 51 years until George's death in 1999. Grace and George had two children, Karen and David. When her children were almost in high school, Grace once again entered the workforce. She was very good in math and worked as a bookkeeper in Hondo for several businesses.

Her love of math and helping people steered her toward the AARP Income Tax Program where she volunteered for 22 years. Grace also volunteered as a Eucharist Minister for St, John's Catholic Church, Community Care Nursing Home with the bingo program, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Medina County Food Pantry until her failing eyesight caused her to quit. Beside volunteer work, Grace was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, St. John's Catholic School PTA, St. John's Altar Society, St John's Historical Association, St. John's Bereavement Committee, AARP- Hondo, LaCoste VFW auxiliary, Hermann Son Life Insurance and Catholic Life Insurance. She served as an officer in AARP, the PTA, Altar Society and Hermann Sons.

After retirement, Grace and George continued to enjoy traveling and camping with family and friends and spending more time at their small ranch north of Hondo. They loved fishing, playing dominoes, cards and making homemade ice cream. Grace also loved to read, sew and work in her yard, but baking was her all-time favorite pastime, which she passed to her daughter and great-granddaughter. Her molasses and chocolate chip cookies were worth fighting over.

Grace is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George Schmidt; brother, Walter Etter; sisters Adella Etter, Alice Reinhard and Helen Hutzler.

Grace is survived by her daughter, Karen Cox (Darwin) of Buda; son, David Schmidt (Reba) of San Antonio; grandchildren, Elizabeth Bailey (David), Adam Schmidt (Katie), Aaron Schmidt (Justin), Natalia Wulfe (Brian), Ana Marie and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Guinn-Horger Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Monday, March 10, 10:30 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Entombment will be at Hondo Cemetery, St. John Mausoleum.

GUINN-HORGER