Debra Suzanne Schmidt Obituary

Debra Suzanne Schmidt, 73, passed peacefully from this world on February 21st after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. We are grateful for the assurance we have of the eternal peace, joy, healing, and wholeness she is now experiencing through her faith in Christ.

Debra was born on August 22, 1952 in Lawrence, KS to Helen and Oscar "Bud" Nation. She was the oldest of three siblings and lived in Lawrence until 1988, where she met and married her high school sweetheart, David Herren, and had her four oldest children. During those years she was heavily involved in La Leche League and in helping legalize home births in Kansas, as well as at Small World helping international women. In 1988, she remarried Tim Schmidt, moved to Wichita, and had her two younger children. Up until just last month when she made her huge move to Casa Grande, AZ, she lived in Wichita and her life was filled with being a mother and then Nana; being involved in her church (Holy Cross Lutheran) through bell choir, choir, sewing sisters, working in the preschool, altar guild, singles group, and more; and loving on her rescued dogs (Scarlett, Paisley, Eli, and Lily.). She was a lifelong KU fan and was happiest when traveling, particularly to the beach.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her siblings – Barbara Nation (Bruce) and David Nation – as well as her six children – Andrew Herren (Kristin) of Overland Park, Nathaniel Herren of Lawrence; Susannah Carnegie of Prairie Village; Rebecca Carr of Hillsborough, NC; Laura Friedberg (David) of Wichita; and Matthew Schmidt (Alexandra) of Casa Grande, AZ – and her beloved 16 grandchildren – Malik, Rorie, Gabriella, Ariella, Zechariah, Jack, Gabriella, Adessa, Ever, Tylis, Annistyn, Sunny, Ellington, Kailani, Callahan, and Kailer.

Her funeral service will take place Monday, March 9th at 10:30 AM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, KS.