Sanford Quest Schmid

Sanford Quest Schmid, age 98, of La Grange formerly of the Shelby, Texas area passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Sanford was born in the Schoeneau area of Austin County on Nov. 20, 1919. He was the son of Rudoph and Annie Dockel Schmid and the grandson of John and Emily Witte Schmid and John Dockel and Emilie Mertz. Sanford attended grade school at Skull Creek and then at Rock House and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1937. He was the last surviving member of that class. At the baccalaureate service, the Fayetteville City Choir sang “The Old Rugged Cross.” The words taken from these two lines – “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies, at last, I lay down” continued to be an inspiration to him throughout his life. Sanford married Madeline Schweke Schmid Dec. 29, 1940 in New Ulm. Two daughters, Carolyn Lea Bruening and Sandara Ann Aschenbeck, both from Shelby, were born to them. He was a store proprietor in Austin/Washington counties for many years, as a farmer, he had a chicken raising operation, was an apiarist (beekeeper) since the age of fourteen until his death. In the fall of 1938, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps and was employed at Buchanan Dam, north of Austin. The salary that he received was one dollar a day ($180 for the six months). These funds were the first monies that he invested. He served as state representative in 1958/59 under Gov. Price Daniel. On Jan. 3, 1945, at the age of 25, he was drafted into the Second World War. His service was in the Navy, as a storekeeper. He received his discharge, as a Seaman 1st Class on April 5, 1946, at Jacksonville, Florida.. In the 1950’s he was instrumental in starting the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department. He was a Second Grand Vice-President for the Grand Lodge Order of the Sons of Hermann. He supported Harmonie Hall in Shelby and was the last surviving member of the Helvetia Menachor, a German singing group. He was a member of the American Legion Post 602 of Shelby. Sanford donated Daus Haus, the Witte Family to the Texas German Society. His family heritage and legacy was his life. He delivered many “meals on wheels” in his lifetime (20 years plus.) He began this service in Austin County but also continued this in Gillespie and Fayette County until 3 years ago. At the age of 95 he was still delivering meals to clients 3 days a week. Sanford married Mannie Fritsch on Feb. 2, 2002. In recent years, besides being an apiarist, he served the community as a philanthropist. The financial assistance/gifts that he provided for college tuitions for deserving students, Second Chance Emporium, the area livestock shows, Arts of Rural Texas, the Blinn College Foundation and many more projects helped to show his desire to serve the area communities by giving back to the communities. Survivors include is wife, Mannie Fritsch-Schmid of La Grange, two daughters Carolyn Lea Schmid-Bruening of Shelby, Sandara Ann Schmid- Aschenbeck and husband Nelson Aschenbeck of Shelby. Also surviving are grandchildren Joan Brune and husband Elbert of New Ulm, Wanda Meier and husband Keith of Brenham, Ryan Aschenbeck of Shelby, Sarah Bertsch and husband Kevin of Fayetteville. Great grandchildren include Father Philip Brune, Kaylyn Brune, Kyle Brune, Megan Meier, Mitchell Meier, Ashley Bruening, Hannah Elizabeth Bertsch, Reid Aschenbeck, Mia Aschenbeck and Zane Aschenbeck. Also surviving are Mannie’s children Norris Wied, Norman Wied and Shirley Fritsch along with granddaughters Elise Wied and Erin Wied. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother John, son-inlaw Aurel Bruening and grandson Roger Bruening.