The world lost a very special person Sunday, November 3rd. Our Brenda went to join her mother leaving us without those special smiles and hugs and a huge hole in our hearts. Brenda was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma on May 9, 1962, her parents’ wedding anniversary. And what a very special gift she was. She was diagnosed as having Down Syndrome and although she had none of the ailments commonly found with this condition, the doctors estimated a life expectancy of 30 years and instructed them to take her home and treat her the same as they did her three siblings. Of course, everyone spoiled her.
Recognizing she needed special education to help fulfill her maximum potential, her parents sought local special education programs. The Catholic Diocese in Wichita had such a program at the Holy Family Center. A very special local church family took her in to avoid the travel from her home on the farm near Caldwell, Kansas. Unfortunately, that school closed the next year. Another search for local programs ensued. At the time, none were available in south central Kansas. However, there was a program in Marysville, Kansas where Brenda’s Uncle Leo and Aunt Lucille resided. They were beyond ecstatic to keep her while she attended the school there. At the age of 5, she moved in with her aunt and uncle on their farm outside of Marysville. She took the school bus into town every day. Her aunt and uncle doted on her and spoiled her even more. She carried those memories of this very special time with her throughout her life. Meanwhile, her parents were working to build a special education program in Sumner County. A program was launched at the elementary school on East Harvey in Wellington, under the careful instruction of Mrs. Eloise Hamman. Of course, her aunt and uncle were heartbroken when she left their home and moved back in with her parents. Brenda continued riding the bus each day to Wellington to attend the special education program. Brenda loved Mrs. Hamman and would sincerely tell you Mrs. Hamman “had three yegs.” Mrs. Hamman had one leg and with two crutches, that gave her three, endearing her special situation with all of her students. Brenda excelled in this program and graduated in 1980.
By this time, the day services for developmentally disabled persons at the Futures Unlimited organization had launched. Upon graduation, Brenda began attending these services riding the bus daily from Caldwell to Wellington. Her favorite tasks were packaging Sparkies, document shredding and “tape measures.” She created many friends and won over numerous hearts. Futures Unlimited launched residential services in 1987. Brenda moved into a residential group home in Wellington. Her parents had a difficult time letting her “out of their sight.” Later, Brenda qualified for supervised care and moved into a house with two roommates. She was known all over Wellington. Anywhere she went throughout town, people knew her. She would call the WALT bus to take her to the Steak House where she ordered her favorites, cheeseburger and carrot cake! She continued living in the residential independent service until 2022 when dementia forced her to move back into a group home with 24 hour supervised care. As the only female in the home, she quickly became “queen.” She resided at this group home until her death.
During her life, Brenda enjoyed many different activities. She loved spending time with her family, going on family vacations, attending family reunions and other special events. She enjoyed bowling, shopping and going out to eat! She loved music, singing and dancing to her favorite songs. She loved watching The Partridge Family, The Brady Bunch, Miami Vice and Wheel of Fortune.
Brenda was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Schmitz. She is survived by her father, Donald Schmitz of Caldwell, Kansas, sister Debbie of Winfield, Kansas, brothers Mark (Gayla) of Lawrence, Kansas, Mike (Colleen) of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Leonard (Kellie) of Fort Smith, Arkansas, nieces Emily, Miranda and Michelle, nephews Adam, Justin and Andrew, great niece, Emma and great nephew Jaxon. We were so very blessed to have had her with us for 62 love-filled years.
Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. on November 8, 2024 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on November 9, 2024 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.
Memorials may be made to Futures Unlimited, Kansans for Life, or to Interim Hospice and sent in care of the mortuary.
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