JoAnn Marie Schmidt, 84, Hays, died Monday, July 19, 2021, at Via Christi Village.
She was born September 19, 1936, in Hays, the daughter of Fidelis and Josephine (Huser) Berens. On November 16, 1957, she was united in marriage to Melvin “Joe” Schmidt at St. Ann’s Church in Zurich. They celebrated 63 years of marriage. JoAnn was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy High School in Wichita in 1954 and St. Anthony School of Nursing in Hays. She was a Registered Nurse at St. Anthony Hospital and St. John Nursing Home. JoAnn was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church and the St. Catherine Christian Mothers. She enjoyed KU basketball, Kansas City Royals baseball, puzzle books, variety shows, spending time with her family, and was a great cook.
Survivors include her husband: Melvin “Joe” of Hays, four sons: Steve Schmidt and wife Jean of Hays, Stan Schmidt and wife Teri of Overland Park, Scott Schmidt and wife Lori of Hays, and Stuart Schmidt and wife Barbara of Olathe, three daughters: Stephanie Staab and husband Dale of Hays, Sonya Haselhorst and husband Glenn of Hays, and Sandi Schmidt of Olathe, a sister: Phyllis Berens of Colwich, 16 grandchildren: Leighton Schmidt and wife Jordan of Olathe, Devin Schmidt and fiancé Mia Jacobs of Dayton, OH, Craig Schmidt and wife Kelly of Shawnee, Casey Schmidt of Overland Park, Collin Schmidt and fiancé Kirsten Zerr of Overland Park, Tanner Staab of El Dorado, Conner Staab of Hays, Troy Haselhorst of Hays, Kyle Haselhorst of Hays, Keisha Schmidt of Hays, Chandler Schmidt and wife Katelyn of Hays, Braden Schmidt of Hays, Lanie Pfeifer and husband Cole of Hays, Hannah Schmidt of Olathe, Taylor Allen of Olathe, and Raegan Guinn of Olathe, three step-grandchildren: Joey Staab and wife Casey of Hays, Darin Staab and wife Diana of Hays, and Jayme Staab and wife Amadee of Gorham, and 12 great-grandchildren: Carson, Bennett, Ella, Mason, Barrett, Greyson, Evelyn, Jacob, Brantlee, Kaymbree, Bexlee, and Tathan.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two granddaughters: Marie Ann Schmidt and Kimberly Brooke Staab.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, July 23, 2021 at St. Catherine Catholic Church, with Fr. Earl Befort officiating. Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Friday at the church. A St. Catherine Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of HaysMed, St. Catherine Christian Mothers, or to St. Catherine Catholic Church for painting of the church. Condolences and memories of JoAnn may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com