Jan Denise Schmidt

This is His commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as He commanded. - 1 John 3:23

Obituary

Jan Denise Schmidt, age 70, went home to heaven on June 4, 2025, in Colorado.


Born on December 29, 1954, in a small country town in rural Nebraska, Jan lived a life rooted in compassion, generosity, unwavering devotion to her family, and a genuine heart for people. Jan never met a stranger and no one who met Jan ever felt like they were not immediately a part of her family. Her superpower was love — and she poured it into every part of her life, from the home she nurtured to the churches, businesses, and people she supported along the way. Jan had that rare and remarkable gift for making those around her feel seen and heard; she supported and cherished people throughout her life.


Jan had a unique way to grieve alongside people when they experienced loss; it typically involved wine and/or margaritas along with happy and memorable stories that celebrated life. Today, we know that Jan is wrapped in the arms of Jesus not bound by time or the shackles of this world any longer. She is right now, even as we are grieving, celebrating the Resurrected Christ alongside the countless faithful who placed their faith in the unseen and were granted the grace that only our Living and Eternal God provides. Jan accepted and lived a life of free grace and loved knowing that her Savior knew her name.


Jan is survived on Earth by her beloved husband, Bob; her two sons, Jonathan and his wife Carolyn and Jared and his wife Jaime; and her treasured grandchildren, Chase, Holly, and Logan. Jan's legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew her — a legacy of warmth, kindness, and connection.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Jan’s memory by raising a glass of wine and sharing a heartfelt story. Live and laugh, love and cherish, keep the faith and share the grace — just as she did every day of her life.

Legacy of Love

Jan's superpower was Love and all of us were touched in some way by that Love she so freely shared. So please feel free to upload a favorite photo of Jan in the 'Gallery' below and to also share a story of Jan on the 'Memory Wall' so that everyone can continue to benefit from this Legacy of Love.

Gallery

Memory Wall

July 12, 2025

We’re still trying to process the reality of not having sweet Jan in this world anymore. But thanks be to God for all of us who share her great faith in Jesus – we do not grieve as those who have no hope!!! It is our loss, temporarily, but her great gain, FOREVER!!! She is finally with Jesus, our Lord, and reunited with all her many friends and family on whom she showered her love. But I’m still really gonna miss her!

Jan never failed to call my Mom, her Aunt Roberta, on her birthday to just chat and laugh with her for a little while. And she also called her (and us and so many others) just randomly, because she was always thinking about other people, wasn’t she? My Mom lived in a retirement village in Ohio, and treasured those calls and chats with Jan, and often mentioned them to me.

We treasure the hours of visiting and laughing with Jan and Bob in their homes that we got to visit when we got a chance to travel to Denver/the Springs. No matter what was going on, even once when they were in the middle of beginning to pack for yet another move, Jan told us, absolutely, come on over, and we could help, which of course we did (well, Lory did; mostly I just carried them a glass or two of wine to help the process😊).

I also treasured all the fabulous email stories from her journal about their adventures in Hong Kong. What a gifted, natural writer she was!

To Bob, and Jonathan and Jared and all your family, and for all the Becks and extended family, we are so sorry for your loss. We have been praying that God will grant you comfort and peace as only He can. Although Lory and I will not be there in person, we will be joining you in our spirits as we share in the Zoom streaming of Jan's memorial service.

Lory and I will miss you a lot, Jan. But we’re so happy for you that you are in the arms of Jesus!

Rob and Lory Selby

Rob Selby

July 10, 2025

I had the privilege of being a colleague of Jan at Evergreen for a number of years, when I served on the Board of Evergreen. I served as Finance Committee Chair for most of those years and worked directly with Jan who provided accounting services for the organization. Jan not only was a master accountant, but she did her work with joy and humor. Here work was impeccable and totally reliable and what she didn't understand at first, she always pursued diligently until she did. I thoroughly enjoyed working to solve problems with her (the organization was international so had some complex transactions) as she always saw a way to have fun with it.

Jan loved life, her family, and shared her love with her colleagues at Evergreen. My deep sympathies to Bob and the rest of the family and I know she will be greatly missed by all of us.

In short, Jan was just a delight to us all!

With love,

Don and Marilyn Mortenson

Don Mortenson

July 3, 2025

With deep regrets not being able to attend services for Jan🥲. But after Open heart surgery and a detached right eye eye retina, doctors say no plane or mountain heights because of gas bubble in the eye!
So many precious memories of Jan , right up to the day before my heart surgery!! Her love and laughter will be missed! But the memory will still have in our hearts! Love you all! Uncle Jerry and Aunt Cheri

Jerry and Cheri Beckenhauer

July 2, 2025

We are so sorry for your loss. These words are heartfelt from us but do not go deep enough to truly express how sad your news is.  We know that you, the family and all who knew Jan will miss her tremendously and we will pray for peace and comfort during the times ahead.  

Our remembrances of you two in Hong Kong are sweet with memories of our first year 7th floor adventures such as the "cheap wine connoisseurs" grading the "vin du jour" and you slurping your ice tea as we waited for the enchiladas and solved the problems of the world and ICS.  Laughter filled the evenings especially Jan's. 
Our growing unease the evening we had the Groupon for drinks and snacks in a very sketchy neighbourhood where we debated if the men outside the bar were loading bodies into the trunk of a car while we waited for the place to open. Jan was not happy with only peanuts as snacks so she bravely headed to the restaurant next door for a pizza and other treats allowing us to always have Jan in our memories.

So many adventures as we traveled together to Phuket and Fiji with the Burnetts. Sharing your apartment with us and saving us from homelessness during our last year in Hong Kong.
Your warm hospitality in Idaho was a special time with Burnetts as well. We've just been going back through the pictures of these memories which have brought us some laughter but also tears. 

It is not a lightly tossed comment when we say "our prayers are with you and the whole family".  Believe us when we say that we will bring you in prayer to Jesus for His comfort, peace and uplifting support in the days and years ahead.

Love and shared tears

Wayne and Cathy

Cathy and Wayne Heideman

June 30, 2025

Jan was so many things: fun, witty, thoughtful, generous- but I think we all know that to sum her up is to say that she loved her people well. While I was in college, seeing Jan meant that there was always an available bed or couch to crash on (regardless of the hour) and the candy drawer would be full. She was always there to support and listen. I will dearly miss her impromptu calls and knowing she was a person who I always had in my corner. She was an amazing woman. I miss her deeply- I feel so blessed to have been a part of her family.

Brittany Gartner

June 28, 2025

Losing Jan so early is truly hard to deal with!

We first met the Schmidt's at Pulpit Rock Church not long after moving to Colorado Springs in 1979. That connection continued with us joining them and others in the formation of Fellowship Bible Church and the many activities we enjoyed together for years. At one point along the way, they were our neighbors two doors down on Silver Springs Circle.

As we all know, Jan's personality was so loving, inclusive and funny. Regarding funny, she nicknamed me Linny Bob as my given name is Linden Robert. As a thank you, I nicknamed her Janny Baby. Welll....several years later, while snow birding in Yuma, we met another couple by the names of Lee and Jan Sawyer. Of course, she nicknamed me Linny Bob and, as you would expect, she became Janny Baby as well.

Needless to say, when Jan heard about this new acquaintance, she insisted on being Janny Baby #1. I wouldn't have expected anything less!!!

She will be so missed by so many!!!!!

Lindy and Carolyn Larson

Lindy Larson

June 26, 2025

We knew we hit the friendship jackpot When Bob and Jan landed in Hong Kong to work at ICS. The rapport was immediate and the love and support they felt for each other was very apparent. As we got to know them, we appreciated their sense of adventure and zest for life, especially from Jan, Bob being a little more chilled out! Jan simply radiated joy; it sparkled out of her eyes and spread into her infectious laugh. She openly wore her love for “her boys” and was so proud of them. Hardly a day went by without a reference to them or her grandchildren.
Jan introduced us to one of her favourite expressions - “dang” (not a common term downunder) and also to the civilised habit of bringing in the close of the day by donning jammies and chatting over a glass or two.
We will always treasure our memories from HK and the times Bob and Jan hosted us in their homes. We left our last visit too late to add more memories but we know that Jan’s love will always be a part of all who knew her.
Love ya Jan
XX Sandy & John

John and Sandy Burnett

June 23, 2025

I first met Jan when she hired me at FBC. She taught me an important life lesson that I still remember today. If I was struggling to get something just perfect, she would wisely say "Just let it go...it's good enough." On my 40th birthday she surprised me by joining me on a hot air balloon ride over the city. I will miss her big heart, her smile & that wonderful laugh.

Margaret Manos

June 23, 2025

When I think of my friend, Jan, I can’t help but think of her beautiful smile that literally lights up hearts! And her love literally lit up everyone she met.
I met Jan in 1982. We had just moved into this rental house in Colorado Sorings with our 3 kids. Jan showed up at the front door our first morning there and she said, “Hi, I’m Jan Schmidt and I just brought you some breakfast! She had all this food and even homemade jam and we’d never met her before. A friend of ours had told Jan about us. We immediately were fast friends! Even though life took us miles apart our friendship was strong! Bob and Jan and Wayne and I spent much time together back in the day. What wonderful and precious memories! The world lost one of the most loving, precious humans God ever made but Heaven has a huge gain! Save a hug for me Jan, when I join you up there!

Karen Tiede

June 21, 2025

Such a shock to lose this fabulous friend and amazing woman. My heart and prayers are with you Bob, Jonathan, Jared, and the rest of the family. So many incredible memories...working together at FBC, Sue's medical clinic, and Evergreen. Sharing wonderful times in the mountains between our cabins...holding aspen parties at your cabin the last week of September for several years. Watching all our boys growing up...so much love, so many fun times, so much faith and fellowship. We will never forget Jan's fabulous laugh and the depth of her love for family, friends, and Jesus. God be with you all, and surround you with His peace that surpasses understanding. Can't wait to see her again in heaven!

Karen DeLorenzo

June 21, 2025

Since day one, 23 years ago, Jan welcomed me in with open arms as one of her own. Many weekends spent at their Black Forest home, conversations in the kitchen, enchiladas eaten, margaritas drank, laughter shared. Jan and Bob were a deep part of our roots. From our wedding engagement at their old home to bringing my teenage kids back to their newest home and the many, many years in between I never questioned her love and support for our family. Her large smile, hugs, laughter and hilarious side comments will forever be imprinted on our hearts. Thank you Jan for being my first welcome to the family my heart is having a hard time believing you’re not here. You are deeply loved.

Lindsey beckenhauer

June 21, 2025

From the land down-under, our sincere condolences - I (Andrew) have gotten to know Jan over many years, with my involvement on the Board of Evergreen, especially at the times we were meeting in Colorado Springs. Most recently, just in early May, less than two months ago. While it is still very hard to come to terms with your family's sudden loss, we are comforted by having seen her strong lifelong witness to Jesus as her Lord, and that she now sees him face to face, in glory. With our love, Marilyn & Andrew Cole

Andrew & Marilyn Cole

June 20, 2025

It still doesn’t feel real.
We met Bob and Jan in Hong Kong, entering the bright lights, big city together in 2011. This dynamic duo was an absolute hoot from day 1. They quickly became ‘family’ to Dave and I, and so began a season of adventure none of us could have predicted.
Jan worked in one of the ICS offices- and anytime I wandered to her neck of the woods, she had someone in there chatting her up. She was a bright light and people were drawn to her. She loved to explore the city, make new friends, and create memories. She frequently organized ‘family dinner’ at the local Ruby Tuesdays where we’d get our American burger fix. She also enjoyed the occasional pedicure at the Hyatt, where the views were priceless and the pedicure chairs were luxury. She even convinced Bob to join once…So many memories. Jan loved her family. She talked about Jonathan and Jared (and their families) everyday. Anyone that knew Jan, also knew her sons almost as well as her, without ever meeting them. She was a very proud mom, and grandma! And Bob- she loved him so much. We all met later in life, but it was always clear that they lit up the room for each other. The world lost an absolute queen- her legacy of love to others will live on in our unique precious memories.

The Swineharts

June 20, 2025

We were blessed to have Jan in our lives for the brief time that she and Bob lived in Idaho. The world feels a little less bright without Jan's presence. Though Jan is gone, her spirit remains.We will always remember her unwavering optimism, infectious laugh (always), and her kind heart. She will be missed.

Carol and Glenn Nagel

June 20, 2025

I had the joy and the honor of working with Jan at Fellowship Bible Church in Colorado Springs for many years. She was truly like the sister I never had. We had the habit of getting to the church office early in the morning before the rest of the staff would show up. We'd drink copious amounts of coffee and talk about our families, friends, church stuff, and the laughs we shared were innumerable. She had such a great sense of humor and a big love to go along with it. Her sudden passing came as such a shock, and there is already a hole in my heart that she left behind that will take time to mend. I am, however, so grateful and blessed for having her and her sweet family having played such a significant role in my life.

Guy Moore

June 20, 2025

Jan was an incredibly sweet lady that loved on us academy boys from the beginning. I pray now comfort and blessings over the entire family. Jan is in our father’s house now, what an incredible place to be. Thank you for loving all of your boys.

Matt Carducci

Memorial Service & Celebration of Life

Online Memorial Service (Zoom)