Zelma Louise Schmolke's Obituary
Zelma left her physical body on June 29, 2023 to venture off into Heaven to be with her Savior. She was born to Hanson and Daisy (Ead) Crawford on December 10, 1939, in Tipton, Indiana. She was named Zelma after her Grandmother, on Daisy’s side. She told us she was a preemie baby and, after birth, had to be kept close to the stove to stay warm. She was the older sister of ‘Bud’, who was born 2 years later. Her family moved west to California in the mid 50’s where she met Richard Schmolke.
She married Richard on December 15th, 1956. Being the loving wife and mother, she followed Richard as his career opened up, moving up and down the west coast, taking care of their home and 3 children.
As the children grew up and left the nest, Zelma and Richard did some traveling. One of the best trips they took, she told me, was going to the Temple in Salt Lake City. Being a member of the LDS church, it was a dream come true.
She enjoyed flower gardening in her early years and loved looking at her petunia garden when it was in bloom. Later, when gardening became difficult, her passion for Bingo ignited! She also enjoyed music and singing in the church choir.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her husband. She is survived by her children: Deborah Fisher (Mike), David Schmolke (Suzanne) and Rosemary Arceo(Hector).
She is also survived by five grandchildren, Catherine, Christine, Michael, Robert and Kai, as well as four great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Hayden, Tyler, Addison and Kyle.
She loved Jesus, and to know Zelma was to love her. Mom, we are better people because of you.
A memorial service will be held at the Garden Chapel at 11 am on July 20th (Richard’s Birthday) followed by a graveside service
What’s your fondest memory of Zelma?
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