Carla entered into this plane on September 26, 1964 at Satanta Rural Hospital at 2pm. She was welcomed into heaven on September 1, 2026. She died suddenly, in her bed, after a brief stint in the hospital from a collapse.

She was the daughter of James Wayne and Rita Schmidt. Her father adopted her at 4 years old. They had a nice father/daughter relationship. Carla accepted her savior Jesus Christ as a small child through her mother's influence. She was baptized at Wesley Medical Complex two weeks ago and entered into her covenant with her savior.

Carla grew up on her parent's farm and ranch and had been working on the farm since a child. She graduated from Montezuma High school in 1983. She also graduated from St. Mary of the Plains in 1987 with a degree in Elementary Education. She had a, way with children, especially her niece and nephew.

She worked in Agriculture and Animal care for 25 years for Santa Fe Veterinarian Clinic. She also had a way with animals and her and her husband Jim, took in many stray animals and made them their own. Carla entered into marriage with Jim, the love of her life, on July 4th 2001.

Carla loved books and film. She was very cultured and educated. She loved to try new recipes and be at home with her husband whom she had a beautiful relationship with. Carla and her niece Alyria were extremely close and loved each other tremendously. She truly was a fabulous aunt.

Survivors include her devoted husband, Jim, who will miss her dearly; her mother, Rita of Lawrence; two sisters, Kara Schmidt and Kelly Schmidt both of Lawrence; nephew, Dominick Valencia; a niece, Alyria Ontiveros; and a great niece, Vivianna Valencia. She is preceded in death by her father and a brother, Claude Schmidt. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and hard work that will inspire all who knew her.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Morningside Cemetery in Montezuma. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7 PM at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Montezuma. Memorials may be left to Swaim Funeral Chapel to be used for funeral expenses. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.