Virginia "Ginny" Schmidt

Virginia “Ginny” Schmidt, 90, of Rockford, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025. She was born in Mendota, Illinois, on February 23, 1935, the daughter of Archie and Helen (Wells) Smith. She was educated in a single-room schoolhouse and later went to Mendota High School, graduating in 1953. While attending there, she met her future husband, Howard Schmidt. Ginny pursued her higher education at Beloit College, transferring after her first year to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign at the urging of Howard. There she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Ginny (Smith) married Howard Schmidt in August 1955 in Mendota, Illinois. In 1968, they moved their family from Champaign to Rockford when Howard accepted a job at Rock Valley College to be closer to both of their families in Mendota, Illinois. 

After the move, the family joined the St. Peter’s Parish and enrolled their children in St Peter’s School. An active member for over 57 years, she spent many years volunteering in church and at the school. Ginny created and taught the early childhood bible/CCD religious program, was a substitute teacher, and helped with the school’s children’s bazaar. Additionally, she was the volunteer Funeral Luncheon Director organizing and working years of funeral luncheons. In January 2015, Ginny was honored as St. Peter’ s Woman of the Year. She was a co-owner of Hultberg’s gift store for over 10 years and an antiques dealer for over 25 years. She spent much of her adult life volunteering with the Girl Scouts first in Champaign and later at Rock River Valley Council, serving years as a troop leader and a long-time member of the board. Ginny believed in the support of future women. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was very involved with her family, attending her grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, hosting birthday and holiday celebrations, going on family camping trips, and providing occasional day care. She was a long-time bird club member, enjoyed gardening, reading, and crossword puzzles. 

Ginny is survived by her sister, Martha Smith; daughters Sharon (Steve) Samuelson, Julia Woodward, Angela (Mike Delany) Schmidt, and Carrie (Mickey) Badertscher; grandchildren Katie (Brock) Samuelson Boltz, William Woodward, Annie Woodward, Zach (Katie Eickstead) Badertscher, Alli Badertscher, and Emma Badertscher: great grandchildren Samy, Ike, and Maxine Boltz. Ginny is predeceased by her parents, her loving husband, Howard of 66 years, brother Richard Smith, and grandson Tony Samuelson. 

Visitation will be held at the Cathedral of St Peter Catholic Church, 1243 N Church Street, Rockford, Illinois at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 18 with a funeral mass following at 11:00 am. A luncheon reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Howard and Ginny Scmidt will be buried together at Holy Cross Cemetery on highway 251 in Mendota, Illinois on Monday, October 20 at 11:00 am. There will be a reception lunch following the burial. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Anne’s Society at the Cathedral of St Peter, or the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family. To share memories and condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.