Claire "Lorry" Schmidt

Claire Lorraine “Lorry” (Simpson) Schmidt led an unpredictably beautiful life.

Lorry was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on April 11, 1936 (though for many years in the 1970s and ‘80s her birthday cakes celebrated her 28th birthday). At the age of 10, she emigrated with her parents (Claire and Cecil) and younger brother, Bob, to South Gate, California.

California was a huge change, but there were new friends and new adventures to be had. One of Lorry’s favorite stories to tell of that time was of the first day owning her “big black Ford” and discovering the freedom it gave her to take her friends to the beach and simply experience more of life. That love of travel and freedom stayed with her for the rest of her life.

A graduate of South Gate High School, she was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and became a legal secretary for a small law firm just a short walk away from home. That seemingly inconsequential job turned out to be a fateful choice, as it led her (via letters to a co-worker’s brother) to meet James Reinhold “Jim” Schmidt - an Army ROTC member who came to Los Angeles “on his way” from South Dakota to boot camp in Texas. It took less than a week for them to realize they had a new future ahead. Lorry knew well enough that her life was changing and, at the age of just 19, booked a long weekend to visit Jim in San Antonio, where he was stationed (she told her parents she was going AFTER she bought the tickets).

In 1956, at the age of 20, Lorry sailed to Europe with her parents and brother where Jim met the ship in France before they drove to Crailsheim, Germany, where he was stationed, to be married and begin their life together. (But not before a fateful drive through Paris, where Jim’s caution of “Whatever we do, don’t go there” met with Lorry’s navigational challenges, and they ended up having to circle the Arc de Triomphe even so.)

Their year in Europe was an extended honeymoon of three-day passes around Germany and to Paris, Rome, Venice - anywhere they could reach on rationed gasoline (so they didn’t make it to England until many years later). Returning to the States the following year, Lorry began the process of adjusting to her new life in South Dakota. And - more importantly - the process of changing the world around her to better suit her life and those of the people around her.

After welcoming a daughter (Robin) and son (Jim) while living in Huron, SD, Lorry and Jim moved to Plankinton, SD, where they eventually welcomed two more children (Heather and Robert). Life in Plankinton in the ‘60s was filled with dinner clubs and dancing with friends, and Lorry began some of her most enduring friendships while living there.

In 1969, the Schmidt family moved to Scotland, SD, where Lorry and Jim opened Schmidt Drug Store and became pillars of the community. They worked together on the founding committee for the Scotland hospital (and helped initiate the “candy striper” program), as well as spearheading South Dakota Horizons projects such as the Good Stuff free store and the Scotland Youth Center (both of which continue today). She held the position of Chamber of Commerce secretary for many years (she said it was only because she knew shorthand), revisited work as a legal secretary, and became a sounding board for many in Scotland.

Between bridge clubs and the ladies’ golf league (she didn’t golf, but she spent each evening enjoying a good book at the clubhouse before dinner with her friends), her work at the Scotland Historical Society, and years of being a lector at St. George’s Catholic church, Lorry became an outspoken advocate for women’s rights (she had one of the first credit cards in South Dakota in her own name - instead of being listed as “Mrs. James Schmidt”) and spoke out against book bans in the local school system before becoming a driving force in the expansion of the Scotland library. She was an enthusiastic multi-year attendee of University Week for Women on the SDSU campus.

Earlier this year, Lorry oversaw the presentation of the 50th annual “Spirit of ‘76” awards to the Scotland High School students who best exemplified the traits of friendship and moral fortitude, which has been given out yearly in honor of her son, Jim, who passed away in 1975.

An avid oil painter and cat lover, Lorry made sure that her house was always filled with artwork, charm, good music, passionate conversation, and welcoming hospitality.

Though COPD kept her closer to home in the past few years, she continued to volunteer at the Youth Center, encouraging the kids (and staff) both in person and from a distance. Until her final days she enjoyed her favorite pastimes, from painting and reading to sitting outside in her impractically perfect screen room with her cats while having a glass of wine or a “brandy smash” with friends while watching for butterflies and lightning bugs.

Lorry was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Jim), and one son (Jim). She is survived by her daughters, Robin (Tim) Shank and Heather Peters, her son Robert (Christopher) Foster Schmidt, and two cats, as well as three grandchildren: Jeremy Shank (and partner Chanel Shaw), Ian Peters, and Megan Peters; many grandpets; and friends too numerous to count. She will be missed more than words can say.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of Lorry’s favorite causes: the Scotland Youth Center (POBox 2, Scotland, SD 57059) or the Spirit of ‘76 scholarship fund (POBox 430, Scotland, SD 57059).