Obituary: Geri Schmidt

April 19, 1942 – September 8, 2025 
Geri A. Schmidt, nee, Geraldine Ann Jaraczewski, April 17, 1942, passed away September 8, 2025, at the age of 83 after a battle with dementia. Geri was born in Peru, Illinois to Edward and Ceceila Jaraczewksi.
Through all her years Geri extolled a thirst for life, a quest for knowledge and passion for helping people. She studied in many areas. While raising her family she obtained a master’s degree in library science. This brought her to Denver in the late 1970’s and a job as the Colorado State Librarian. As she traveled to all the libraries in the state, she convinced the family Vail was the place to set down roots.
In Vail, she persuaded her husband Rusty to purchase a restaurant and bar called the Hong Kong Café in 1984. They remodeled The Hong Kong, and a foundation of friendships and memories grew.
As the Hong Kong flourished, Geri turned to another endeavor – in Minturn. Geri and Rusty established a store named Cowboys and Indians. Just in time to catch a huge resurgence in western interest due to the movie Dances with Wolves. Back then, Minturn still had a train turntable.
Never to sit still, Geri in 1992 decided to pursue another passion, medicine. Fascinated by oriental medicine practices, she embarked to Santa Fe, New Mexico to study acupuncture and oriental medicine. After earning a Doctor of Oriental Medicine degree, she opened A Wellness Center in Edwards, Colorado. Known as Dr. Geri, as she embraced her clients, and continued her education in Shanghai, Bejing, and Hong Kong. Her knowledge of herbology helped many in Eagle County in the area with fertility, immunology, and many other areas that her patients found western medicine too intrusive.
Dr. Geri retired in 2012 after 40 plus years pursuing a passion for people in three totally different genres. She will be missed.
Geri was preceded in death by her husband, Rusty (Max J.). She is survived by her sons; Scott and his wife Diane living in Avon, Colorado; Max Steven, her son and beloved caregiver during her last years in Eagle; her grandsons Christopher Schmidt (Elysse); Alexander Schmidt; and great grandchildren Maverick and Emmie.
A memorial service will be held on October 11, at Mountain Life Calvary in Riverwalk, Garnet Building, 275 Main street, Suite G-002, 11am Saturday October 11.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 12-3 pm at The Gashouse in Edwards. We welcome all who knew Geri, personally and professionally to join and share our memories.
In lieu of flowers honoring and celebrating the life of Geri, please donate to one of your charities or to Mountain Life Calvary Church https://mountainlife.church/give on her behalf.
.