Schrag, Clarence (1911-2005)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2005 Apr 4 p. 6

Birth date: 1911 May 3

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Apr 25 p. 8

text of obituary:

CLARENCE SCHRAG

Clarence Schrag, 93, died April 3, 2005, at Memorial Home, Moundridge, Kan. He was born May 3, 1911, to Jacob D. and Adina Kaufman northwest of Moundridge.

He graduated from Moundridge High School in 1930. He then taught one year at Pioneer Grade School. In 1936 he graduated from Salt City Business College in Hutchinson and began his seven-year employment as a stenographic clerk with Shell Oil Co. in Oklahoma.

He was baptized June 5, 1927, at Hopefield Mennonite Church and transferred his membership to Eden Mennonite Church in 1934. He knew the Bible well, was active in all church activities, served in the Sunday school department and loved singing with the Eden men's chorus. He also served as co-custodian at Eden for three years.

On Aug. 2, 1940, he married Leona L. Goering. The next year, during their time in Oklahoma, they suffered the devastating loss of a stillborn son, Sherwin Jay.

World War II took them to Terry, Mont., for a three-year term with Civilian Public Service, where he served first as accountant and later as camp director. They enjoyed their CPS experience tremendously, making many lifelong friends. Returning to Kansas in 1946, they established a farm near Moundridge.

He had a deep appreciation for the fruits of the soil and farmed for 36 years before they moved to Moundridge in 1982. He worked as a bookkeeper for Mid-Kansas Co-op and prepared income tax returns for people for many years.

He was a kind, loving, devoted husband and father, a gentle man with a dry sense of humor. He was honest, dependable and very loyal to his family. He graciously cared for Leona during her lengthy illnesses. When she died in 2000, they had been married 60 years. In 1996 he moved to Memorial Home.

Survivors include a daughter, Charlene Epp of Shawnee Mission; two brothers, John (J.O.) Schrag of North Newton and Milo of Moundridge; and a sister, Marie Wedel of North Newton.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona; two brothers, Alvin and Martin; a sister, Melinda Goering; and a son, Sherwin Jay.

Memorial services were held at Eden Mennonite Church.