Hilde Ouellette

Hilde Schmid Ouellette, 80, of Waco, passed away Sunday, January 28,2024.  Hilde was born on January 23, 1944 in Lochotin, Sudetenland.  She was the third child of Anton Schmid and Rosa Weiss Schmid.  They lived in Lochotin, Sudetenland until 1945 when they were relocated by the Russians to Ulrichstein, Germany.

Hilde went to elementary school in Ulrichstein and attended Gymnasium (high school) in Schotton, Germany. She worked as a secretary in Hanau Germany until 1962 when she moved to Detroit, Michigan to marry her husband, Fred Ouellette.

Hilde met Fred in 1960 when he was stationed with the Army in Hanau, Germany. They were married on September 29, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan. Hilde became a US citizen August 19, 1968. They have three children, Frederick Anton Ouellette, Brian Matthew Ouellette and Christine Denise Ouellette Kling. Fred and Hilde celebrated their 61^st wedding anniversary on September 29, 2023. Hilde was an avid seamstress, baker, gardener, and volunteer. Hilde and Fred were members of Square-Dancing Clubs when they lived in Virginia and Wylie, Texas. Hilde made all of her’s and Fred’s  costumes. Hilde was known for making her German stollen and cinnamon rolls and regularly gifted them to friends during the holidays.  Hilde maintained beautiful flower gardens wherever the family lived and was often complimented on her flowers. Hilde was a Cub Scout den leader while living in Virginia. Her Catholic faith was an important part of her life and in addition to regularly attending Mass, she volunteered as a Religious Education teacher, and was a member of the Altar Society. After moving to Waco, Hilde learned to play Bridge and was an active member of a local Bridge club.  She became an expert player and could stand alone with anyone. Hilde regularly volunteered at Waco nursing homes along with her husband; she was known as the “Catholic banana lady” because she would always bring bananas to the residents she visited.  After Fred retired from Raytheon they traveled in their RV to all 49 US States and 6 Canadian Provinces with their three Dachshunds, Gretchen, Gracie and Ginger. Together, they traveled over 150 thousand miles in 14 years. Their “bucket” trip was to Alaska and the Artic Circle (by small airplane)

Hilde was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Rosa Schmid; and her brothers, Anton Schmid and Emile Schmid. 

Hilde is survived by her husband, Fred Ouellette; children, Fred (Martha), Brian (Mike), and Christine (Steven); grandchildren, Melissa (Rob), Carissa (Justin), Freddy (Cati), Alexa (Joe), Madison and Jackson; and great-grandchildren, Skylar and Willow. 

The Way of the Cross ceremony: 7PM Wednesday, February 7 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1312 Dallas St., Waco.

A Celebration of Life Mass: 10AM Thursday, February 8 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 1312 Dallas St., Waco.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Baylor Scott and White Home Hospice, 2911 Herring Ave, Ste 310, Waco TX 76708.