Beatrice Irene Schmidt

Beatrice Irene Schmidt was born on March 19, 1931, and died on June 21, 2024, at the age of 93. Beatrice was born in George, Iowa to Gertrude and Ervin Westphal. They lived there until she was three years-old then moved to Fairmont, North Dakota. While there, her mother entered Beatrice into Sears National Baby Contest. With over 100,000 entries from the U.S., Beatrice’s picture was chosen as an Honorable Mention. She received a keepsake medallion for the honor.

Beatrice and her parents moved back to George, Iowa where she attended first through fifth grades. In the sixth grade she attended Le Mars Elementary and played on the basketball team.

In 1944 Beatrice’s parents divorced, and at the age of 13, she and her mother, Gertrude moved to Vanport City, Oregon to be near Gertrude’s siblings. Beatrice attended Vanport Schools receiving good grades.

Being an only child, and with her mother working long hours as a welder, and later as the head cook at Waddles Restaurant, Beatrice became an avid reader and briefly worked as a theatre employee in downtown Portland.

In 1949 she graduated from Roosevelt High School. During her high school years, she was very involved in social activities including band, orchestra (she played the flute), was elected Room Officer Secretary, Vice-President of Honor Society, and Iota Phi Vice-President.

The highlights of Beatrice’s high school years include the 1948 Vanport Flood that washed away their home, traveling to Pasadena to play the flute in the Rose Bowl, and being chosen as a representative for Roosevelt High School for the May Court (court to choose a Rose Festival Princess).

After high school she spent the summer in California with a group of friends and had her first real job as a model.

In 1949 Beatrice received a scholarship and attended Vanport College (later named Portland State University) majoring in secretarial science. Her sorority, Delta Tau Rho, pledged her as a homecoming princess. She was quoted in the Vanguard school newspaper as saying, “I was surprised and thrilled beyond words that I should be chosen as a homecoming princess.” Later, she was crowned the Homecoming Queen.

On September 21, 1952, she married Robert Ernest Schmidt. They had two children, Douglas, born in March of 1955, and Laurie, born in June of 1956. They lived in the Southeast Portland area until they moved into their new house in Milwaukie, Oregon. They were married for 61 years until Robert’s death in 2013. Two years later, Beatrice moved two blocks up the street into The Springs at Clackamas Woods.

Beatrice was involved throughout her lifetime in various sports and social activities. She excelled at golf and made two-hole-in ones. She was a gardener, square dancer, competed in bowling tournaments, sewed, knitted, and traveled the United States, Europe, Russia, and Singapore. Beatrice enjoyed collecting beanie babies, loved going to the casinos, and visiting with family and friends. She was also an active member of Milwaukie Lutheran Church.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; daughter, Laurie; son-in-law, Robert Wheeler; mother, Gertrude; and stepfather, Rudolph Roeschman.

Her survivors include her son, Douglas (Vicki); grandchildren, Nathan (Kjirsten), Lisa (Travis), Cory (Brooke); and great-grandchildren, Jace, Adain, Kaleb, Annabelle, Ava, Lindsey, and Calvin.

Beatrice’s celebration of life will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Milwaukie Lutheran Church, 3810 SE Lake Road, Milwaukie, Oregon.