Schmidt, Gerhard G. (1879-1964)

Revision as of 12:02, 10 November 2020

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Nov 26 p. 3

Birth date: 1879 Mar 12

text of obituary:

Freeman, S. C. — Gerhard G. Schmidt, who was among the pioneer settlers in the Avon, S. D. community, died recently at his farm home near Freeman. He was 85.

Mr. Schmidt came to this area from Russia with his parents at thee age of 14, and the family homesteaded at Avon. He farmed in the Marion community for many years.

The largely attended funeral was held at the Salem-Zion Mennonite church here.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Jan 28 p. 11

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Feb 11 p. 11

text of obituary:

Gerhard G. Schmidt, a son of Gerhard B. and Agnetha Wiens Schmidt, was born on March 12, 1879 in the Village Pastwa in Russia. His parents emigrated to America with their family when father was 14 years old and homesteaded on land near Avon, S. D. He obtained his elementary education in schools of those early days.

He was baptized upon confession of faith on Oct. 20, 1894 by Rev. Christ Kaufman at the Friedensburg Mennonite Church of Avon, S. D. Later he transferred is membership to the Salem-Zion Mennonite Church of which he remained a faithful member.

On Oct. 10, 1901 he was united in marriage to Emma Kaufman with whom he shared joys and sorrows for over 53 years, until her passing in 1955. They established their home on a farm near Marion, S. D. Their home was blessed with seven children, two of whom died in early life. Father was a great conversationalist and had many friends. He held in high esteem the practice of daily devotions in the family.

Father enjoyed good health until he was 70 years old. The past 15 years he submitted to surgery several times and in the past months was weakened by a heart condition. Death came Nov. 5, 1964, at the age of 85 years, seven months and 24 days.

He is survived by two daughters, Elenora (Mrs. Elias W. Schrag) and Grace; three sons, Howard, Alfred and Aaron; two daughters-in-law, Melva (Mrs. Alfred Schmidt) and Elsie (Mrs. Aaron Schmidt); one son-in-law, Elias W. Schrag; one brother, Jake Schmidt, White River, S. D.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Emma, his parents, two sisters and one brother.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Nov. 18, in the Walter Funeral Home and the Salem-Zion Church with Rev. Ralph Graber officiating. A quartet composed of Philip Krehbiel, Reuben Goertz, Harley Schrag, and Palmer Graber sang several numbers. Interment was at Salem-Zion Mennonite Cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1964 Nov 24 p. 733