Walburgis "Val" Schmidt

Walburgis "Val" Schmidt was born in 1939 in Germany to Walter and Ilse (Habig) Schmidt. She immigrated to the United States in 1961, and became a U.S. citizen in 1966. For 37 years Val Schmidt owned and operated a licensed public accounting business in Bellevue, Ohio. She was a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. Val played many roles in the Public Accountants Society of Ohio, including serving as president of the organization. She was the first chairman of the Board of the Bellevue Cherry Festival in Bellevue, Ohio. Walburgis "Val" Schmidt passed away on September 17, 2003 in Bellevue, Ohio. She was survived by her husband, three daughters, a stepson, and four stepdaughters and many other friends and relatives. Burial was at the St.Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Huron County, Ohio, outside of Monroeville. An obituary for Val Schmidt appeared in the September 18, 2003 issue of the Sandusky Register.

In 1992,Representative Paul E. Gillmor paid tribute to Val Schmidt on her many accomplishments. Below is a a transcript of Congressman Gillmor's tribute to Val Schmidt:

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HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

in the House of Representatives

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1992

* Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to W. `Val' Schmidt, an outstanding citizen and leader from my congressional district.

* I am pleased to announce to my colleagues that Val Schmidt has been elected president of the Public Accountants Society of Ohio. On September 19, she will begin serving in this important position, and I can predict confidently that she will serve effectively and with distinction.

* Val Schmidt is a remarkable American success story. A German immigrant, Val Schmidt has seized on the opportunities America brings and has bravely overcome the challenges it poses. She came to the United States in 1961, became an American citizen in 1966, and has enjoyed a solid, successful career as a public accountant for many years.

* Val Schmidt has also earned enormous respect for her civic achievements. Whether it is her work with the Public Accountants Society, or her previous service as president of the Ohio Federation of Business and Professional Women, Val Schmidt has never missed a chance to demonstrate what a commitment to excellence and service is all about.

* Once again, I congratulate her on being elected president of the Public Accountants Society of Ohio, and I wish her the best of luck.

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During the 1970s I got to know Val through a mutual friend. Val was a dynamic individual, and she put her whole heart and soul into every endeavor she undertook! She is truly missed.

Mrs. Adelaide Lessenthien

Adelaide Schmid was born in 1879 to Mrs. and Mrs. Jacob Schmid. Mr. and Mrs. Schmid were both natives of Germany, and Mr. Schmid was an engineer who worked for many years in a local brewery. In the 1900 U.S. Census for Erie County, Adelaide stated that her occupation was dressmaker. According to records at Erie County Probate Court, Adelaide Schmid married Ferdinand F. Lessenthien on September 27, 1900. Between 1902 and 1914, Ferdinand (sometimes called Fred) had a large family of five children: daughters Wilma and Ruth, and sons Lionel, Russell and Bretell. Ferdinand Lessenthien reported on his draft registration card for World War One that he worked as a marine fireman.

Listings in the 1928 Sandusky City Directory indicate that Ferdinand and Adelaide were living at separate addresses. In the 1930 U.S. Census, Adelaide Lessenthien was living in Sandusky with her daughter Wilma, sons Russell and Bretell, as well as her married daughter Ruth Spinello. Ruth's young children Evelyn and Harold Spinello also lived in the household.

Mrs. Adelaide Lessenthien passed away at the Fisher-Titus Hospital in Norwalk on January 9, 1969, at the age of 90, following a brief illness. She had been a lifelong member of St. Stephen's United Church of Christ. She was survived by a daughter, Mrs. Lloyd Beck, three sons, Lionel, Russell, and Bretell, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. She had been preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Ruth, three sisters and a brother. Frey Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements, and burial was in Oakland Cemetery. Adelaide was a strong woman who kept her faith strong, even when she faced life as a single parent and enduring the economic challenges presented by the Great Depression.

Tombstone Tuesday: Mrs. Josephine Schmidt

The English translation of the inscription on Josephine's tombstone reads:

Josephine Benner
the wife of Joh. Schmidt
died on April 8, 1901
age 52 years, 8 mos., 13 days

An obituary for Mrs. Josephine Benner Schmidt, which appeared in the April 9, 1901 issue of the Sandusky Daily Star, reported that Mrs. Schmidt died at her home on Harrison Street in Sandusky, Ohio. She was the wife of John Schmidt, a longtime employee of the Big Four Railroad. Mrs. Schmidt was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. She was survived by her husband, four daughters, and three sons. Mrs. Josephine Benner Schmidt was buried at Oakland Cemetery.