Schmidt, Matilda Wedel (1878-1944)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Aug 24 p. 3

Birth date: 1878 Nov 24

text of obituary:

MRS. FRED B. SCHMIDT

Mrs. Matilda Schmidt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wedel, was born on Nov. 24, 1878, near Pawnee Rock, Kansas.

In 1893 she accepted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour and upon the confession of her faith was baptized of the Bergthal Mennonite church at Pawnee Rock.

She was united in marriage with Fred B. Schmidt in 1895 with whom she enjoyed mutual companionship in joy and sorrow for 48 years. For 15 years they lived on a farm in Barton county, moving to their present farm home near Greensburg, in the spring of 1910.

To this union 10 children were born of whom three preceded her in death. She was of a kind, quiet nature. She bore her suffering patiently and often expressed the though during her illness that she felt her life's mission was fulfilled and that she was ready and willing to go home to her Savior.

During the past winter her health began to fail. In April she became quite ill and was taken to the hospital in Dodge City for observation. One week later she was taken to the Bethel hospital in Newton, for further observation. On May 11, she submitted to surgery, which proved too late to help her. She suffered another five weeks. Her pain was intense the last week. Friday evening of June 9, the Lord gently called her home. She attained the age of 65 years, 6 months and 16 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband; three sons, Ed, Frank and Harvey and their wives; four daughters, Mrs. Minnie Johnson, Mrs. Louise Unruh, Mrs. Pearl Schmidt and Mrs. Grace Unruh and their husbands; 21 grandchildren; one brother, Ben Wedel of Pawnee Rock, one sister, Mrs. J. J. Smith of Great Bend; and many other relatives and friends.

Mother resteth now, no more her breast
Heaves with its weary breath;
Pain sits no longer on her brow
Where lies the calm of death.
Sunk to her rest like a tired child
She lies in slumber deep
Soft folded in the arms of Him
Who giveth his beloved sleep.
Rest on, dear Mother; your labors are over;
Your willing hand's [sic] will toil no more.
A faithful Mother, true and kind
No friend on earth like you will find.