Obituaries

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Gerarda “Jardi” Kathryn Schmalz on Sunday, January 4, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri after a long struggle with cancer. She was 80.

Jardi was born July 16, 1945 in Indianapolis to Mary Ann and Charles Schmalz.

While Jardi was a very independent child who loved solitude, she was fun and playful, making family and friends laugh at her skill in playing combs and the kazoo while everyone sang. This playfulness and fun was characteristic of Jardi throughout her life. Her music favorites included the Beatles, John Denver, James Taylor, the Eagles, Bill Withers and Ben E. King. Jardi loved animals and cared deeply for creation, the environment and living simply.

As a young woman, Jardi found a calling with the Sisters of St. Joseph and moved to St. Louis. She took her first vows with her parents in attendance.

Jardi earned a Bachelors Degree from Fontbonne University. After leaving the convent, she earned a Masters of Social Work from St. Louis University. But St. Louis remained her home surrounded by wonderful friends.

Jardi was a counselor and social worker for organizations such as Merit Behavior Care, Catholic Family Services, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Lydia’s House, among others. According to colleagues and friends, Jardi was a wonderful person to be around. Whether she was working with a person one-on-one or spending time with friends and neighbors, she was always compassionate and caring to everyone. Jardi served on the Board of Managers, for Brentwood Forest Condominium Association. Her motivation was always to make things better whether for her clients, fixing up her house and then Condo with Cindy Bechtel, her partner, and volunteering. A perfectionist in everything she did, including softball.

In 2010, Jardi and Cindy Bechtel married in Iowa. Jardi and Cindy loved to dance and were part of a travelling square dancing group visiting many cities. Jardi loved Cindy, her family and her friends. She had a generous and kind heart and will be greatly missed.

Jardi is survived by her partner, Cindy, her brother Charles Schmalz, her sister Susan Sainsbury and nephews Gerald, Jeffrey Michael and Daniel Boarman, her brother Mark Schmalz, and nephews David, Eliot, Ryan and Niece Kara Schmalz, and sister Meghan (Schmalz) Duhaime.

A Memorial Service celebrating Jardi’s life will be held at Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum, 4947 W. Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO at 10:00 AM, January 13, 2026, followed by a reception at the Brentwood Forest Clubhouse, 9000 Wrenwood Lane, Brentwood, MO.