Pearl Josephine Schmitt

Pearl Josephine Petersen Schmitt passed peacefully to her eternal home with her Lord in heaven on October 22, 2012. Born to August and Bertha Petersen on October 14, 1920, she had a long and blessed life. She was the oldest of 9 children and cherished her growing up years within her family. As she and her siblings grew to adulthood, they continued their bonds of friendship and support for each other. Pearl’s dream was to become a nurse and she graduated from Emmanuel Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. She later met her “sweetheart”, Gottlieb Schmitt and they were married September 3, 1950. She came to love Gottlieb’s family as her own and she treasured the times they were together. As a nurse, Pearl’s patients were always treated with dignity and compassion. She practiced the art of nursing at: The State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, the Mayo Clinic, and at the Lincoln County Hospital in Davenport, WA. Upon moving to Spokane in 1965, Pearl was a nurse at the Summit Blvd. St. Luke’s Hospital, the New St. Luke’s Campus, at Deaconess, and at Sacred Heart. Pearl was the owner of Top O’The Line Health Food Store on West Garland Avenue here in Spokane after retiring from nursing. Top O’The Line Health Food Store was a place for everyone. Her customers became her friends and her friends became her customers. She welcomed everyone into her store 6 days a week until her 80th birthday when she made the decision to retire a 2nd time. Pearl loved being active outdoors, gardening, and walking. She also loved playing cards with her pinochle group and visiting with friends and family. Pearl was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and treasured her “family” there. The times she was together with you were very special memories she held in her heart. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend she shared her life joyfully and freely with her family and friends. We are thankful for her presence in our lives and we are thankful for the many gifts she blessed us with. Husband, Gottlieb, preceded Pearl in death in 2000. Pearl was also preceded in death by sisters Alma Lake, Helen Haag, and Alberta Beaty. She is survived by children David Schmitt of Spokane; Dan (Nancy) Schmitt of Auburn, WA; Diane (Jeff) Monsen of Everson, WA; grand children Heather Schmitt, Leanna (Kevin) Sherman, Andrew Schmitt, Kara (Ken) Kumon, Amy Monsen; great grand children Kristine & Adalyn Sherman; brother Elmer (Marjorie) Petersen of Kennewick; brother Marvin Petersen of Oregon; brother Ralph (Beverly) Petersen of Oregon; sister Carol Petersen of Oregon; sister Ruth Petersen of Oregon; beloved niece Lois (Dave) Strand of Spokane and numerous beloved nieces and nephews living in other communities. A special thanks to all the staff at Riverview Care Center for their love and support of the whole family these past weeks. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts in honor of Pearl’s honor and memory be given to Trinity Lutheran Church (4704 North Wall Street) or Riverview Care Center (1801 East Upriver Drive). Please join family and friends for a celebration of Pearl’s life at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church 4704 North Wall Street, Spokane, WA. We love you Mom. May you rest in peace. Blessed be your memory.