Mary “Beth” Schmidt

Mary Beth (Larson) Schmidt, 71, of Hot Springs Village, AR, passed away in hospice care July 24th after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). She was born in Evanston, IL on March 18th, 1944 to Mabel and George Laubenheimer. Beth grew up in Mt. Prospect, IL.  She received a B.A. of Ed. from National College and taught elementary school in the Chicago suburbs. She was married to Lawrence Larson from 1968-2005 and they lived in IL until retiring to Hot Springs Village, AR in 2000.

 In 2007, Beth was lucky to fall in love a second time. She married James Schmidt on March 8, 2008 in Hot Springs Village, AR. Beth enjoyed going on cruises, reading, golfing, playing bridge, square dancing, making quilts, the church choir, and playing with her five grandchildren. Beth never met a stranger. She was friends with everyone and just liked putting a smile on people’s faces.

 During these last years, she fought the many daunting of MSA with courage, patience, calm and grace. Beth never lost her sense of humor or positive attitude. She is greatly missed by family, friends and caregivers at Gratitude of Hearts.

Beth is preceded in death by her parents, her bother Norman (Sally) Laubenheimer and her first husband, Lawrence Larson. Beth is survived by her brother Pete (Nancy) Laubenheimer; her three daughters, Laura (Alec) Johnson and Julie (Greg) Anderson, both of Ft. Wayne, IN, Erica (Chris Howell) Larson of San Francisco, CA; five grandchildren, Logan, Riley, Mackenzie, Isabella and Parker; and loving husband Jim.

 Her wonderful spirit and joy will be celebrated at a Memorial Mass at 11:00am on Saturday August, 22 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village, with InUrnment at CedarVale Cemetery directly after Mass.

 In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MSA Coalition at https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/fundraising/donation

 Arrangements have been entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home. For online condolences/guestbook visit us at www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com