Judith Rose “Judy” (Steltenpohl) Schmidt

Judith Rose “Judy” (Steltenpohl) Schmidt, 74, of Rolesville, NC, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025, at WakeMed Raleigh Campus.

Judy was born in Ferdinand, IN, on February 15, 1951. Following high school she pursued teaching, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Indiana State University. She began her teaching career at Attica Junior-Senior High School in Attica, IN, where she met fellow teacher Martin C. “Marty” Schmidt. Judy and Marty married on September 4, 1976, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Ferdinand, IN, and then made their home in Noblesville, IN, where they raised their two sons, Benjamin and Matthew. Following two years at Scecina Memorial High School, Judy moved to Lawrence Township Schools where she taught seventh grade math for the rest of her career, retiring in 2014 after nearly 40 years as a teacher. She loved working with and was a friend and mentor to many of her teaching colleagues. She was especially proud of her contribution to the team that worked toward Craig Middle School being designated as a National Blue Ribbon School from 1994-96, and which earned her a celebratory visit to the White House.

Judy and Marty moved to Rolesville, NC, in 2021 so they could be closer to Matthew and Jessica and their daughters, Emma and Olivia, whom Judy loved abundantly. She cherished every minute with the girls: picking them up from school, having them over for dinner, creating various arts and crafts, shopping for outfits for special occasions, attending their sports events and recitals, and hosting sleepovers—with Judy sleeping on the upstairs couch to honor the girls’ request that she be a little closer by.

Time spent with friends and family was time Judy treasured, including Ladies Night Out in Indianapolis, the Carleton Point “Synchronized Swimming” team, book and Bunko clubs, and getting together with the Golden Girls from Ferdinand. She maintained close ties with her cousins across Southern Indiana. Her Thanksgiving meals overflowed the table and produced leftovers for days. And Christmas was her favorite holiday, finding ways to spoil the family with gifts even though her requests for gift lists by Thanksgiving were rarely met.

Guests to Judy’s house could expect snacks upon their arrival, or most often a full meal. She was always up for a friendly card game, especially Euchre. She was known within the Schmidt Family for her Indiana Barbeque and Bunko nights at the Lake every year—tables upon tables of the entire family rolling dice and banging pots in hopes of winning the Big Bunko prize. She greatly enjoyed her trips with family to Germany and France, and with Marty to California and Hawaii and a road trip out West before that. Judy and Marty drove seemingly everywhere together.

Judy will be remembered for her great kindness and generosity of spirit. She touched so many hearts, always stepping in with help wherever she sensed or saw a need. She always made sure no one was left out. And she was so proud of her sons, daughters-in-law, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins.

She is survived by Marty, her beloved husband of 49 years; her sons Benjamin (Molly) Schmidt of Madison, WI, and Matthew (Jessica) Schmidt of Raleigh, NC; her granddaughters Emma and Olivia; and her sister Susan (Mark) Bruner of Ashland, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Rose Mary Steltenpohl.

Visitation and a Rosary service will be held on Thursday, November 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 14, at 11:00 a.m. at The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC, followed by interment in the church’s columbarium on site.

For those who wish to honor Judy’s memory with a gift, in lieu of flowers please consider giving to the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, IN (https://thedome.org), who Judy herself supported throughout her life. Donations to WakeMed Foundation (https://www.wakemed.org/giving) designated toward Heart Services would help support the CardioVascular ICU nurses and staff, in particular, from whom Judy received tremendous care in the last weeks of her life and for whom she and the family are forever grateful. Or, more simply, you can honor Judy by planting flowers in your garden, making a meal or baking cookies for someone you love, and supporting someone you know in a moment of need, just as Judy did herself.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judith Rose “Judy” (Steltenpohl) Schmidt, please visit our flower store.