Jetta (Sherar) Schmitt, 65, passed away at her home in Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. She was born in Camp Rucker, Alabama, to Robert Cody Sherar and Margaret Elizabeth Flynt. Jetta was happiest when family and friends socialized around her table and when she was with her rescued animals which included her African queen parrot, iguanas, sugar gliders, ferrets and many dogs.
Jetta’s father was in the Navy, therefore, Jetta grew up all over the United States as a “Navy brat” and lived in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Kingsville, Texas; Monterey, California; Long Beach, California; San Diego, California; Alameda, California; Guam Marianna Islands; Washington D.C. and Point Mugu, California. She graduated from Oxnard High School in 1972 while her father was stationed at Point Mugu, California. She then went to college in Santa Cruz, CA and got an Associate’s Degree from Cabrillo Jr. College in 1974. She loved the water and took up scuba diving while living in Guam and was a competitive swimmer.
Shortly after graduating from college, Jetta moved to Colorado, her home for the rest of her life. She met the love of her life, Berndt “Bear” Erich Schmitt, and they married in Vail, Colorado, on June 18, 1977. They had two children, Cody Paul Schmitt and Christopher Bear Schmitt
Jetta was best known for the Iguana House in Breckenridge. Her family opened their home to at-risk juveniles in the foster system. She took in many foster children over the years and provided them with lots of love and structure. She also volunteered for the Summit County Advocates specializing in death calls and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Continental Divide.
Jetta was preceded in death by her beloved Bear. She is survived by her two sons, Christopher and Cody, parents Robert and Margaret Sherar of Carmel, California, sister Mandy Sherar of Dillon, Colorado, brother Eric Sherar of Atascadero, California, niece Heather Doyal and nephew Flynt Doyal, both of Summit County, Colorado, and her constant companions, Moose and Chaos.
A Celebration of Jetta’s Life will be held in Summit County in the near future.
In honor of Jetta’s life, please consider a donation in her name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Summit Advocates for Victims of Assault, or CASA of the Continental Divide.