Schmidt, Lavina Agnes (1919-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Nov 13 o, 5

Birth date: 1919, Apr 10

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services will be held at the Alexanderwohl church Thursday afternoon for Miss Lavina Schmidt, 28, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Schmidt of the Goessel community who passed away Tuesday morning at the Bethesda hospital. She had been in poor health for a number of years. In addition to the parents she is survived by a sister Elva.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Nov 27 p. 6

text of obituary:

LAVINA AGNES SCHMIDT

Lavina Agnes Schmidt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben B. Schmidt, was born on April 10, 1919, near Goessel, in Marion county, Kansas. She spent her childhood days on a farm with her parents and was brought up with all the privileges which a Christian home offers to a child.

She attended school at Hochfeld and at Gordon District. After finishing the grade school, she attended the Goessel high school for about one and one-half years, but could not finish on account of failing health.

She was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer on May 16, 1937, by Elder P. H. Unruh and joined the Alexanderwohl church, whose faithful member she remained to the end.

Lavina was the first grandchild of her father's family and brought much joy to her home. She had normal health until the age of 11 years, after which certain indications of failing health made their appearance. There were periods when her body was strong enough to perform the daily tasks of life, and then again her health had a setback and often laid her on the sickbed. These constant changes had a depressing effect upon her life and they brought hope for health and recovery one day, and discouragement the other day.

Hers was a life of sacrifice in many ways, as it demanded a constant letting go of opportunities, entertainments and the ways of life as it lies before a young person. But while she suffered physically she became increasingly strong in her faith in God and submission to His will, so that she could say, "Not my will, but Thine be done."

The loss of her two sisters who were taken away by death, Margaret as an infant, and Annie in the prime of youth, made firm impressions upon her spiritual life, and created in her a longing to meet them in heaven.

The many favorite Bible verses she had marked and the many devotional readings and poems from Mrs. Cowman’s book, “Streams in the Desert,” bear witness that she drew her spiritual food from these sources.

Her strong faith in the leading hand of God never wavered through all the days of her last sickness; in fact it looked death straight in the face. Her last sickness was a long and hard battle, with a most strenuous ending, but victory came as the soul left the body on Tuesday, November 11, at 3:30 a. m., to be with the Lord in heavenly glory forever. She reached the age of 28 years seven months and one day.

She leaves to mourn her departure her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben B. Schmidt; one sister, Elva; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Penner of Burrton, and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on November 13 at 1:00 p. m. at the Bergen Funeral Home, Goessel, in charge of Rev. H. B. Schmidt, and at 2:00 p.m. at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. C. C. Wedel.