She was born on May 23, 1916, in Grinnell, Iowa to Dow and Maude Mahaffey. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School. Following her marriage to George Schmidt the couple operated a grain and livestock farm southeast of Grinnell. After the death of her husband, she was married to Verne Reeves on February 7, 1964. The couple remained on the Schmidt family farm and she worked in the food service of Grinnell College. In the early 1980s she moved to Grinnell and resided at Monroe Park. Survivors include her three sons, John, Jim and Jack Schmidt, all of Grinnell; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; both of her husbands; one son, Joe Schmidt; one grandchild; one great grandson; and three sisters, Loretta Clark, Metta Maron and Martha. Memorials may be directed to Hazelwood Cemetery's Landscaping Fund.