Smith, Lena Mae (1894-1976)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1976 Oct 28 p. 11

Birth date: 1894 May 9

text of obituary:

SISTER LENA MAE SMITH

Sister Lena Mae Smith of the Bethel Sisterhood, Newton, Kan., has been deaconess mother since 1943. She was principal of the Bethel Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing for 35 years and for a time served on the State Board of Nursing. For a number of years before her retirement she served at the hospital information desk. She taught Sunday school for many years and was active in the service of the church.

She died on Oct. 1 after several years of illness. Funeral services were conducted Oct. 4 at the First Mennonite Church of Newton. Dr. Albert Epp, the pastor, officiated. Nephews and friends were pall bearers and members of the hospital board were honorary bearers. A solo, "O Power of Love," was sung by Mrs. Walter Thiesen. The two hymns by the congregation were "Marvelous Grace" and "What Mercy and Divine Compassion."

"My Life's Journey" was written by Sister Lena Mae in 1971.

I was born in Barton County, Kansas, on a farm about seven miles northeast of Pawnee Rock on May 9, 1894. My parents were Samuel P. and Mary Boese Smith. We were nine children, all born at the same place: Clarence, Max, Bertha (Mrs. P. S. Dirks), Elrick, Leo, Susie (Mrs. Chester Siebert), Ben, Luella (Mrs. Hans E. Regier), and I. Clarence, Max, Bertha, Susie, Leo and I have received the call to come home.

My formal education was received in School District No. 148 in Barton County, in Bethel Academy, Bethel College, Moody Bible Institute, and the Bethel Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing.

I was baptized in the Bergthal Mennonite Church near Pawnee Rock, Kan. by Rev. Peter H. Dirks on May 12, 1913, and have retained membership in the Mennonite church.

I entered the Bethel Deaconess institution Sept. 1, 1917 and have been associated here since then. The family, the church, and all Sisters and co-workers have been wonderful associates and a great blessing to me. The best companion is the Lord Jesus Christ, and His Word has been an all-sufficient guide. I shall mention four scriptures that I have often repeated: Phil. 1:6, John 15: 16, II Cor 9:8, and especially Psalm 16:11, "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right there are pleasures forevermore." They have been great to live by. Each morning there was new mercy and strength! Marvelous! What a Saviour!

Each friendly "Good Morning" seemed to say "God bless you," and added inspiration and joy to my life; but the best is yet to be when we say "Good Morning" in glory and there remain forever with the Lord.

The Mennonite obituary: 1976 Nov 16 p. 679