Rose Schmidt Obituary

Rose Mary McClanahan Schmidt, 77, died peacefully at her home in Lawrence, on Sunday March 22, 2026. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday April 20, 2026, at First United Methodist Church-Downtown Lawrence.

She was born May 18, 1948, on a farm near Centerville, Kansas, to James Herbert and Phyllis (Maxwell) McClanahan. She was the eighth child, and the family was complete with the addition of her brother, Max, two years later.

Rose attended several schools-from a one room schoolhouse to more traditional schools when her family moved to Parsons, Kansas in 1953. She graduated from Labette County High School and the University of Kansas. After completing her bachelor's degree in social work, Rose moved to Kansas City, Missouri to work at Goodwill Industries. Next, she worked at Fort Leonard Wood assisting soldiers with mental health and substance issues.

Rose returned to KU and earned her Master of Social Welfare degree in 1977. Shortly after graduation, she moved cross-country to work at the Veteran's Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System in California. It was here that she met her husband, Dr. Gary Allen Schmidt, whom she married in Salina, Kansas on June 30, 1979.

Rose spent 27 years assisting veterans in several clinics including: brain injury, inpatient psychiatry, and community integration. By the end of her career, she had earned the position of assistant chief for the social work department. During her career she supervised and served as a mentor to hundreds of the next generation of budding social workers.

Rose wanted kids and upon marrying she took on the role of stepparent to Gary's son, Aaron. Rose survived traumatic health complications and a difficult pregnancy which ended in a miscarriage of son, Nathan, in 1982. They later welcomed daughter, Caitlin, in April 1985. As a family they enjoyed hiking, reading, board games, cooking and watching women's basketball.

In 2005, The Schmidts moved from California to Lawrence, Kansas to be closer to family. Rose and Gary began attending First United Methodist Church soon after. Rose found countless ways to continue serving others including Jubilee Café, Justice Matters, PEO, and United Methodist Women. She was a champion for the Justice Matters goal of expanding mental health services in Lawrence. Believing passionately in their mission, she would serve as co-president and as an early leader within her congregation. She was proud of the work the organization was able to achieve with sustained cooperative action.

In the last 10 years she endured several serious health issues that limited her physically, but she did her best to find ways to stay active and continue contributing to her community.

Rose is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gary Allen Schmidt; her son, Nathan McClanahan Schmidt; her brothers James Nathan, Max Leroy and Edward Owen McClanahan and sister Barbara Jane Zahller.

She is survived by her daughter, Caitlin R. Schmidt (Ace) of Lawrence and son, Aaron F. Schmidt (Carrie); her grandchildren, Emelia Sabine (Neal), Gideon, Santiago and Benicio and great-grandchildren, Avni and Ole, all of Wisconsin; three sisters, Charlene Jean Mathis, Reba Lucille McQuinn, Diana Sue Brechin and brother, Darrell Claud McClanahan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Justice Matters through First United Methodist Church or Warren-McElwain Mortuary.