Sue Ann Schmidt

Sue Ann Schmidt, an Olympian, comedian, professional photographer and masseuse, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2022, after a long battle with dementia, a disease that is common in people born with Sue’s genetic disorder, Down Syndrome.

Sue didn’t let the intellectual challenges she had from Down Syndrome define who she was or how she lived her life. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 10, 1961, to Philipp and Barbara Schmidt at a time when the common practice was to send children like Sue to be raised in boarding homes, but Sue was raised in a house where she was loved and challenged to become the best version of herself.

Sue enjoyed spending most of her time with her parents and 2 brothers on Cass Lake. Because of their efforts Sue developed several strong skills that always seemed to amaze us, she had superhuman strength (“strong as an ox”), had excellent hearing (“I heard that”), had the sharpest eyes we’ve ever heard of (the glasses must have been a coverup), she could read minds, and she always knew what someone was going to say. Sue lived in Michigan, Oregon and Idaho throughout her life. No matter where she was, she always tried to make people feel special.

One of her favorite things to do while her mom was alive was spending time with the “ladies.” After her mom’s passing, she continued to gather with the “ladies” at church and other activities such as primary and young women. She would always remind them that they “looked gorgeous.” Not shy of fishing for her own compliments, Sue would follow up with a question asking if “she looked sharp;” rocking the polo-shirt-sweatshirt-over-the-top combo, the answer to this question was obviously yes. Sue loved keeping her hands busy, always keeping her loom and needle close by. She made 100’s of baby beanies that were donated to Children’s Hospitals or other worthy causes.

Sue’s biggest accomplishment in life was teaching us everything that she knew and making us laugh. Some of our favorite memories with Sue involve gathering in the family room with Sue and having her make us laugh. She loved sharing her talents with us during these gatherings often giving back and foot massages to anyone who asked. At times she would control the room through arm wrestling challenges (remember she was strong as an ox), teaching us how to speak in Chinese, Japanese, French, and “Mexican,” or entertaining us through her many impressions. It was through these experiences that we know that Sue did not let her disorder define who she was.

We all loved Sue and we are grateful that our Heavenly Father trusted us to know her and grow up with her during her time on Earth. Although our time on this earth with Sue has come to an end, we have comfort in knowing that when she passed away, Sue’s parents, other family members and friends (we are sure there were plenty of these since she knew everyone everywhere we went) welcomed her into heaven seeing her for the first time in their recollection without the physical and intellectual challenges she faced while on this earth. Sue will be missed by her family and friends, but we look forward to the day that we get to see her again.

Sue is survived by her brother, John (Rebecca) Schmidt of Rigby, Idaho, her four nephews, Philipp (Amber) Schmidt of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Christopher (Tara) Schmidt of Fort Collins, Colorado, Chase (Shelly) Schmidt of Midlothian, Virginia, Logan (Ashley) Schmidt of Rigby, Idaho; her niece Johnie (Hayden) Black of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and her grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Philipp Schmidt Jr., her mother, Barbara Schmidt, and her dog, Charlie Sue.