Kristine "Kris" Schmidt, née Dilly, was born on December 24, 1954, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Cal and Jan Dilly. When she was very young, the family relocated to San Jose, California, where she spent most of her childhood and where her younger brother, Richard ("Rich"), still resides.

Along with her mother, Kris was very active in her church, where her faith and values of kindness, service, and compassion were deeply rooted. It was there that she formed her lifelong treasured friendships with the famous "Donna, Ann, and Sue".

It was also at her church that she met the love of her life, Dave Schmidt. Kris and Dave were married on May 20, 1977, beginning a marriage built on deep love and a shared faith. Their relationship was centered on their devotion to God and to one another, and together they built a home grounded in prayer, service, and family. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Dave completed his undergraduate degree, and later they settled in Nampa, Idaho.

While living in Idaho, their two children, Heather and Jonathan, were born. Being a wife and mother was the role Kris cherished most deeply. Her family was the center of her life, and she devoted herself to creating a loving, stable, and supportive home. Truly the perfect mother, Kris was always present for her children-encouraging them, listening to them, and celebrating their successes. Her love, guidance, and quiet strength shaped the lives of her family in countless ways.

While raising her children, Kris worked as a bookkeeper, a career she continued as the family moved over the years. In 1992, the family relocated to Chehalis, Washington, where Kris and Dave would both remain for the rest of their lives. As Jonathan was preparing to graduate from high school, Kris fulfilled a lifelong dream by returning to school to pursue a career in nursing. As in everything she did, she approached her studies with dedication and discipline, graduating with a perfect GPA.

Kris loved being a nurse and spent the majority of her career at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia, Washington, where she cared for patients with compassion, skill, and humility until retiring in December 2019. Nursing was more than a profession for Kris-it was a calling and a natural expression of her faith and compassion for others. Her desire to serve extended beyond her work at the hospital. Kris participated in humanitarian trips where she used her nursing skills to help those in need. She traveled to Cambodia to serve in orphanages, caring for children and supporting those who worked there, and she traveled to Mexico to provide medical care as a volunteer nurse. These experiences were deeply meaningful to her and reflected the servant's heart that defined her life.

Kris was born into a family of sports fanatics and grew up watching the 49ers and the Giants. However, after moving to Washington she was able to right this wrong, becoming an enthusiastic supporter of the Seahawks and the undisputed #1 fan of her beloved Mariners. Watching games was one of her favorite ways to relax and connect with family and friends.

Kris also had a deep love for traveling. She cherished the opportunity to see new places and create lasting memories with the people she loved most. Many of her travels were centered around serving others, but she also simply loved exploring the world and sharing those experiences with family and friends. Gardening was another of Kris's great joys. She took pride in caring for her garden and found peace and satisfaction in watching things grow and flourish under her attention. She loved tending to her plants, planting new flowers, and enjoying the beauty of the changing seasons. Her garden reflected her personality-patient, nurturing, and full of life. Kris further expressed her love for others through cooking. She loved preparing meals for family and friends and believed that food had a special way of bringing people together. Whether it was entertaining at a holiday gathering, a family dinner, or simply a meal shared on an ordinary day, Kris found joy in feeding the people she loved and making everyone feel welcome at her table.

Those who knew Kris remember her as patient, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate. She was a wonderful listener with a generous heart and a quiet strength. More than anything, she loved serving others and making those around her feel cared for and valued. Kris passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 19, 2026 at the age of 71. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cal and Jan, and her husband, Dave. She is survived by her children, Heather and Jonathan; her cherished granddaughter, Evie; her brother, Rich; her nieces, Jennifer and Marissa; and their families. Also treasured, Dave's surviving brothers Harold (Ione), Richard (Linda), Raymond (Lil), Kenneth (Mary) and sisters Lorna and Linda.

As with many things in her life, Kris did not want a "fuss" and preferred simplicity. In keeping with her wishes, there will not be a public celebration of life. A small private ceremony will be held where she will be laid to rest beside Dave at their final resting place.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Samaritan's Purse International Relief in Kris's memory.