Schmidt, Walter H. (1894-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Feb 17 p. 11

Birth date: 1894 Oct. 12

text of obituary:

WALTER H. SCHMIDT

Walter H. Schmidt was born to John H. and Anna (Voth) Schmidt on Oct. 12, 1894 at Darlington, near El Reno, Okla., and passed away Jan. 12, 1972.

He realized his lost condition and was saved at the age of 17. He was baptized by P. R. Voth on Dec. 26, 1912 and joined the Friedenthal Community Church south of Gotebo.

On Aug. 24, 1920 he was married to Bertha Pankratz. For several years they made their home on a farm near Cordell, Okla. Three daughters were born to them. For the past 40 years he had farmed in the Gotebo area.

On June 15, 1949 his wife died. In June of 1951 he was united in marriage with Agnes Riesen. This fellowship was enjoyed until April 3, 1963 when she passed away. On May 22, 1965 he was married to Bertha Bergen.

He was a quiet man, but gained the friendship of many. He loved his Lord and served him faithfully. He was member of Ebenezer Mennonite Church. For the past five years he was chairman of the church and was responsible for leadership.

On Jan. 12 he had a good day and enjoyed the day's work. He ended the day with rejoicing. But that night in his sleep he quietly went to be with his Lord. He reached the age of 77 years and three months.

He leaves to mourn his wife Bertha of the home; three daughters, Mrs. H. B. (Edna) Ray of Denver, Mrs. Walter (Clara) Gowen and Mrs. Martha McCurdy, both of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Oscar of Newton, Kan. and Irwin of Lawton, Okla.; two sisters, Helena of Oklahoma City and Rosa, Mrs. Clinton Kaufman, of Wichita, Kan.; one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and 12 step-children.

The soul of our husband and father has departed to be with the Lord. In II Corinthians 5:1 we read, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." We mourn, but not without hope, knowing he now has a building of God made without hands eternal in the heavens. — The Family.