Paula Schmidt

Paula Anne Schmidt, age 62 of Florence, passed away on the afternoon of May 22, 2023, surrounded by her family. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Friday, June 2, 2023, at Viss Family Funeral Home in Copperas Cove.

Paula was born on December 17, 1960, in Sparta, Wisconsin. She grew up and attended high school in Sparta where she graduated in 1979. Paula went on and studied at Western Technical College where she obtained her cosmetology license. Her love for animals was greater so she pursued a career as a Veterinarian Technician. She worked at El Centro Pet Medical Center for a total of 24 years. She also worked for the City of Killeen as an Animal Control Officer for five years. Paula devoted the last four years of her life to taking care of her mother, Herta Crawford, and father, John Crawford.

She was always willing to listen to anyone who needed her ear, her hugs, or smile. She took great care of all those around her both on two legs and four. When she wasn’t taking care of hers or other’s four-legged fur babies, she enjoyed spending time with her family and having people over for coffee or dinner. She loved being in her garden, reading, horseback riding, and being a bonus mom to so many of her friends and co-workers.

She was preceded in death by, her mother, Herta Crawford.

Paula is survived by her husband of almost 16 years, Kenneth Schmidt; sons, Cory and Cody Gray; daughter, Melinda Schmidt; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; her father, John Crawford; her brother, Christopher Crawford; and a countless number of friends and loved ones.