Schmidt, Emma Kaufman (1884-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Mar 31 p. 8

Birth date: 1884 Jan 1

text of obituary:

MRS. EMMA SCHMIDT

Emma Kaufman Schmidt, a daughter of Andrew Kaufman and Francis Waltner Kaufman, was born on Jan. 1, 1884 on a farm southwest of Marion, S. D. Her education was received in such rural schools as were available in those early days.

On Oct. 1, 1899, she was baptized by Rev. Joseph Kaufman and became a member of the Salem-Zion Mennonite church, of which she remained a life-long member.

On Oct. 10, 1901, she was united in marriage to Gerhard G. Schmidt. Their home was blessed with seven children, two of whom died in early life.

On the day before Thanksgiving in 1954 she suffered a heart attack, from which she never recovered. Her life hung by the slenderest thread until death came in the early hours of Thursday morning, March 3, 1955, having reached the age of 71 years, two months and three days.

She is survived by her husband, Gerhard; two daughters, Eleanor (Mrs. Elias W. Schrag) and Grace; three sons, Howard, Alfred and Aaron; one daughter-in-law, Melva (Mrs. Alfred Schmidt), and one son-in-law, Elias W. Schrag; five brothers, Ben, Peter, John, Charles and Andrew; two sisters, Mary (Mrs. Peter J. Schrag) and Ruth; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, one sister, three brothers and one daughter-in-law, Mary, (Mrs. Aaron Schmidt). To her loved ones and friends she will be remembered especially for qualities of patience, helpfulness and faithfulness in her religious life.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the home and at 2:30 o’clock in the Salem Zion church with Rev. Russell Mast officiating. A quartet composed of Phillip Krehbiel, Reuben Goertz, Harley Schrag and Palmer Graber sang numbers that were favorites of the departed sister.