Schmidt, Jakob R. F. (1870-1946)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1947 Feb 4 p. 15

Birth date: 1870 Mar 4

text of obituary:

Unser Vater Jakob R. F. Schmidt, wurde geboren am 4. März, 1870, in Kleefeld, Südrußland. Als sechs jähriger Junge kam er mit seinen Eltern nach Amerika. Sie siedelten nahe Goessel, Kansas, an. Hier verlebte er seine Jugendjahre. Am 10. Juni, 1889, wurde er von Aeltesten Jakob Buller auf das Bekenntnis seines Glaubens getauft und als Glied in die Alexanderwohl Gemeinde aufgenommen, dessen treues Glied er blieb bis zum Tode. Am 20. März, 1894, trat er mit unsrer Mutter, Elisabeth Franz, in den heiligen Ehestand. Sie durften Freud und Leid teilen in einem glücklichen Eheleben. Ihnen wurden neun Kinder geboren, vier Söhne und fünf Töchter. Unser Vater erfreute sich guter Gesundheit und arbeitete emsiglich, aber im Juni, 1945, erhielt er einen leichten Schlag-Anfall. Nachdem hat er seine Zeit mehr mit lesen, besonders in der heiligen Schrift, singen und beten zugebracht. Er liebte zu singen und fand große Freude daran. Am 30. November, 1946 erhielt er einen zweiten Schlag-Anfall. Seine Lage verschlimmerte sich, so daß wir es für nötig fanden ihn nach dem Bethel Hospital zu bringen. Trotz der Pflege liebender Hände und ärztlicher Hilfe, verließ seine Seele diese irdische Hülle am 5. Dezember, 1946. Er brachte sein Alter auf 76 Jahre. Wir haben die Zuversicht daß Vater zu seinem Erlöser und Schöpfer und zu den Lieben, die ihm vorangegangen sind, genommen ist. Wir trauern nicht wie die, welche keine Hoffnung haben, denn wir wissen unser Himmlischer Vater weiß am besten, und er hat verheißen uns nicht zu verlassen in allen Lagen unseres Lebens, ja, auch wenn Tod und Trauer in unser Heim treten.

“Der Erde enthoben, dem Tränental,
Gen Himmel dort oben zum Freudensaal!
Bleibe dann, Erde, dein bin ich nicht —
Der Himmel nun werde mein ewig Licht.
Zum himmlischen Frieden, schwingt sich mein Geist,
Nun ewig zu lieben, was Göttlich heißt.”

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Dec 12 p. 5

text of obituary:

. . .

— Final services for Jacob R. F. Schmidt, 76, who resided at 1221 North Duncan street, took place at the Alexanderohl church on Tuesday afternoon with Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. P. A. Wedel in charge. Mr. Schmidt died at Bethel hospital on Thursday morning, Dec. 5. He was a farmer in Thomas and Marion counties before his retirement, and had lived in Kansas since childhood. Survivors include his wife and youngest daughter, Loise, of the home, and four other daughters and four sons. The three children residing in California, Mrs. Art Buller, Jacob Schmidt and Menno Schmidt, came here for the funeral.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Jan 2 p. 3

text of obituary:

JACOB R. F. SCHMIDT

Jacob R. F. Schmidt, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Reimer Schmidt, was born March 4, 1870, in Kleefeld, Russia. He emigrated to the United States with his parents when but a lad of six years. The .family made their home near Goessel, Kansas, where the departed spent his childhood days.

He was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer on June 10, 1889, and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church. He remained a true and faithful member of this church, which he loved dearly until the end.

He was united in marriage March 20, 1894, with Elizabeth Franz, with whom he shared life’s joys and sorrows for 52 years, eight months, and 14 days. The departed lived with his family most of his life near Goessel, with the exception of 10 years, when he lived in Thomas county and the last six when he lived in Newton.

Their marraige [sic] was blessed with nine children, four sons and five daughters. He was a great lover of home life, and dearly enjoyed the visiting of his children and grandchildren in the declining years.

He loved to sing. He labored hard for life’s needs but always took time for the religious things which have even greater value. In the last years of his life when he could not labor much anymore he would spend much time in reading: especially the Word of God, in praying and also in singing praises to his Maker.

On June 30, 1946, he had a light stroke, from which he recovered somewhat, but on Nov. 30, 1946), he had another stroke, which paralyzed the left side of his body and practically left him speechless. Since his condition became more and more critical he was taken to the Bethel Hospital, where all the necessary care and medical aid was given him. However, he passed to his reward Dec. 5, at 1:25 in the morning. He reached the age of 76 years, nine months and one day.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure the following: His deeply sorrowing wife; his children: Dan F. Schmidt, Walton; Frieda, Mrs. H. L. Schmidt, Newton; Tina, Mrs. D. R. Janzen, Walton; Marie, Mrs. J. L. Pankratz, Canton; Martha, Mrs. Arthur Buller, Orange Cove, California; Menno F. Schmidt, Shafter, California; Jacob F. Schmidt, Wasco, California; Samuel F. Schmidt, Hillsboro; Louise of the home; four daughters-in-law and four sons-in-law (one daughter-in-law preceded him in death); 26 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, one sister (Mrs. J. A. Unruh, Newton) and the following half-sisters and half-brothers:: Margaret, Marie and Anna Schmidt, Newton; Peter F. Schmidt, Goessel; and J. J. Schmidt, Hillsboro.

We mourn, but not as those who have no hope for we know the departed father and husband is safe in the arms of Jesus. In that blessed home he is now seeing what he has believed. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the tmeple of my God.” Rev. 3:12.

Funeral services were held on the afternoon December 10, under the direction of the church pastor, Rev. P. A. Wedel, who was assisted by Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. Dan J. Unruh of Newton.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1947 Feb 4 p. 8

text of obituary:

JACOB R. F. SCHMIDT, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Reimer Schmidt, was born March 4, 1870, in Kleefeld, Russia. When six years old he migrated with his parents to a home near Goessel, Kansas. He was baptized in 1889 and received as a member of the Alexanderwohl Church of which he remained a faithful member until the end. In 1894 he and Elizabeth Franz were united in marriage. its sorrows and joys they shred for over fifty-two years. With the exception of ten years in western Kansas and the last six in Newton, he lived near Goessel, Kansas. He passed to his reward December 5, 1946. His sudden departure is mourned by his deeply sorrowing wife, and his children : Dan F., Mrs. H. L. Schmidt, and Mrs. D. r. Janzen, Walton, Kansas ; Mrs. J. L. Pankratz, Canton ; Mrs. Arhtur Buller, Orange Cove, California ; Menno F., Shafter, California ; Jacob F., Wasco California ; Samuel F., Hillsboro, Kansas ; and Louise of the home.