Carol Nancy (Culham) Schmid passed away April 4, 2024 in Richland, Washington.  She was born in Milford, Michigan, on June 27, 1933, to Amber Fern (Roberts) and Joseph Henry Culham.  While attending Milford High School, she worked in an ice cream parlor where they made and sold ice cream for 6 cents a scoop.

One day Carol was on her lunch break as an x-ray technician.  She was dining at Red’s Hot Spot when Loren came in for his break after running all over making mail deliveries for the University of Michigan.  Red said to him, “Racehorse Charlie, there’s someone I think you should meet.”  After Red made the introductions, Carol thought to herself, “Racehorse Charlie, he must be rich.”  They were married on June 10, 1954 in Milford, Michigan, in the Presbyterian Church where she was a member.  They were married just shy of 70 years.

Their first daughter, Joanne Marie, was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  They moved to Summit, Illinois, where their daughter, Eileen Leslie, was born in LaGrange, Illinois.  After moving to Richland, Washington, their son, Donald Clark was born.  They decided not to move again because Carol didn’t want any more children.

After the children were older, Carol worked in a fabric store and then Bon Marche. (currently Macy’s) in the china department where she enjoyed helping men shoppers who didn’t know what they wanted – especially on Christmas Eve.

She had a life-long love of fabric and sewing.  She made clothing for her children and quilts for gifts and for charities.  She was a member of Richland Lutheran Church since 1959 where she volunteered in many areas, including in the church office, kitchen, and the Sewing Bee.  She enjoyed traveling and cruising.  She also shared her love of reading with her children.

She is survived by her husband, Loren; children, Joanne (Bernie) Woehle and Don (Melissa) Schmid; four grandchildren, Melissa (John) Carter, Josh (Theresa) Woehle, Sarah and Katie Schmid; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Eileen.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 1 p.m.

Memorials in her memory may be made to the sewing group at Richland Lutheran Church.