Schmidt, Samuel J. (1902-1993)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1993 Sep 2 p. 11

Birth date: 1902 Jan 24

text of obituary:

SAMUEL J. SCHMIDT

Sam J. Schmidt was born Jan. 24, 1902, to Jacob J. and Caroline Buller Schmidt on a farm southwest of Dolton, S.D. Since 1921 he cherished his commitment to Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He was baptized by David P. Schultz and became a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church, Marion, where until his death June 8, 1993, at age 91, he remained a faithful member.

On June 25, 1925, he married Marie P. Tieszen, and for almost 68 years they enjoyed married life. They had four children.

In 1921 he graduated from Freeman Academy and taught nine years in the rural schools of Turner County. He spent four years at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he graduated with a master's degree in religious education. In 1931 he received a bachelor's degree from Goshen College.

He served as principal and Bible teacher at Beacon Bible School in Dallas, Ore. Occasionally he also served as Sunday morning worship speaker in various local and conference churches. For 18 years, he was general reporting secretary of the conference and a member of various conference commissions and committees. He attended Mennonite World Conference assemblies in Kitchener, Ont., in 1962 and Amsterdam, Holland, in 1967.

He served aon the boards of Salem Mennonite Home and of Freeman Junior College and Academy. He counseled young men regarding their conscientious objector position following World War II and during the Korean War.

Since 1932, Sam and Marie farmed, first south of Dolton and then north of Freeman. In 1974 they retired. On Feb. 2, 1992, Sam suffered a stroke, which paralyzed his right side and almost totally restricted his speech.

Sam believed deeply in the Christian promises and that these should be reflected in his relationship with others. He lived his conviction and confidence found in I Peter 1:3-5, which he often quoted.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Gordon and his wife, Diena, of Henderson, Neb., Orville and his wife, Sandra, of Wakarusa, Ind., and Allen and his wife, Mary, of Marion; a daughter, Fyrne Schlenker and her husband, Robert, of Freeman; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.