Elizabeth Ann Schmidling

The children of Elizabeth Ann (Kisker) Schmidling, age 90, of Pueblo Colorado, formerly of Leavenworth County, Kansas, announce the peaceful passing of their loving Mother on May 18th, 2026.

Elizabeth was the daughter of William Kisker and Olga Tollner. She was born July 22, 1935, and raised in Farley Missouri, with her siblings; Eugene Kisker, Charlotte Klinkenberg, Mary Gail, and John Kisker, who have all preceded her in death.

She attended grade school in Farley, often telling stories of walking to school, hand in hand with her sister Charlotte. During the winter, her Dad would hitch up the mule and buggy and take them to school. She loved that the most, for spending as much time with her Daddy, were some of her happiest times.

Elizabeth was Baptized and Confirmed in the Farley Lutheran Church. She enjoyed singing, her Mother Olga played the organ, and later taught Elizabeth piano.

Elizabeth attended Platte County High School, where she had the honor of being selected Homecoming Candidate.

Elizabeth started her first job in Leavenworth Kansas, working at the Dairy Queen. That is where she met Don, who stopped by on his truck route and ordered a chocolate malt. She admitted adding extra chocolate to his malt, hoping he would notice her. He did.

That next weekend would bring them both together at the Grange Dance Hall, and Donald Schmidling, asked her to dance.

They were married August 2, 1952, at St Joseph of the Valley Church. Don received his draft notice the day before their wedding. After their honeymoon at The Lake of the Ozarks, they moved to Virginia, where Don served 4 years in the Army at Fort Belvoir.

After the Army, Elizabeth and Don returned to Leavenworth County, and bought a farm on Seven Sisters Road, where they raised six children; Patricia Schmidling, Sherry Schmidling, Kathy Lynn (Terry) Schaeffer, Denise (Jack) Elliott, and Dale (Candise) Schmidling. Their oldest child, Linda Butler, preceded her in death.

Elizabeth was known by all for her cooking, canning skills, sewing, (matching dresses for her girls), and painting. Her artwork, characterized by a detailed mindset.

She also mastered the sport of Trapshooting, winning several trophies and awards.

Elizabeth moved to Colorado Springs in 1996, her love of the mountains, and working in a Holistic Nutrition Center became her purpose and livelihood.

She met Howard Trusty in 2008, at a dance in Colorado Springs. Her radiant smile and happiness with meeting Howard would be a neverending joy. Elizabeth later moved to Pueblo Colorado, where they enjoyed traveling, dancing every weekend, Country music concerts, and years of devoted companionship, love, and laughter. Howard’s family quickly embraced and loved our Mother, and she loved them. He survives at their home.

Elizabeth is survived by 16 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by a grandchild, Kendall Schmidling, and a great grandchild, Alyssa Hutchens.

Services will be held in the Montgomery & Steward Funeral Chapel in Pueblo Colorado, on Tuesday, May 26th @10:00am, followed by a Rosary @ 11:00.

At a later date, a service will be held at St. Joseph of the Valley Church, followed by interment of her ashes in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to; St Pius X Catholic Church, 3130 Morris Ave., Pueblo, CO 81008,  Compassus Hospice, 725 Desert Flower Blvd # B, Pueblo, CO 81001, and Project Angel Heart, 4950 Washington St, Denver, CO 80216  https://www.projectangelheart.org/