Schmidt, Marie (1896-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jul 11 p. 6

Birth date: 1896

text of obituary:

— Sister Marie Schmidt, 61, a member of the Bethel Deaconess Sisterhood, died early Tuesday at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital where she had been a patient since May 5. Funeral services were to be held Thursday forenoon at the Sister Frieda Memorial Chapel. A native of Hillsboro, Sister Marie entered the school of nursing here June 15, 1923. She was a member of the First Mennonite Church. Surviving are her step-mother, Mrs. Anna Schmidt of Lansing, Mich., four brothers and one sister.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jul 18 p. 8

text of obituary:

SISTER MARIE SCHMIDT

Marie Schmidt was born January 15, 1896 near Hillsboro, Kansas. Her parents were Benjamin and Eva (Schroeder) Schmidt. In this family, and now living are C. B. Schmidt of Nashua, Mont.; Mrs. J. J. Heppner (Emelia) of Merced, Calif., Herman Schmidt of Hillsboro, Kan., and Ben C. Schmidt of San Francisco, Calif. Also surviving are Mrs. Anna Schmidt, her second mother, and a half brother, Richard both of Lansing, Michigan.

Marie was baptized by the Rev. J. J. Plenert, Sr. on June 9, 1912, and became a member of the Johannestal Mennonite church of Hillsboro, Kan. Later she transferred her membership to the First Mennonite church in Newton.

On June 15, 1923 she came to join the Bethel Deaconess family. In 1926 she graduated and became a registered nurse. And in 1933, on the 25th Anniversary of Bethel Deaconess Hospital, she was one of eight Bethel Sisters to be consecrated. The challenge given to her at that time as a consecration verse was Psalm 62:5-6. "My soul wait thou only upon God: for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, he is my defense. I shall not be moved." In a real sense her life was lived as a response to the challenge of this verse, and she remained faithful to her consecration and charge throughout the years.

She worked in the hospital as a nurse, but in more recent years she chose to be a seamstress, cince this was a real need in the institution. Her faithfulnes [sic] in this department has been greatly appreciated. While at her work she would listen to her radio, which brought her many hours of encouragement, inspiration, information and joy.

On May 4, 1957 Sister Marie was about her usual activities, even though not in the best of health for some months. On May 5, she was admitted to the hospital where she was cared for until she went to her eternal home on July 9, at 12:40 a. m. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15.

The expression of her faith and trust in God, and the strength and joy she found in this faith, is found in the hymns which were her favorites. In recent years while at her work she was frequetnly [sic] heard singing, "The Lord is our Rock, in Him we hide, a shelter in the time of storm: Secure whatever ill betide; O Rock divine, O Refuge near, Be Thou our helper ever near. O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm." The words of two other hymns, also her favorites, leave this message in memory of her. "What a Friend we have in Jesus; Precious Saviour, still our Refuge — In His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there"; and "Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee."

Funeral services for Sister Marie were conducted in the Sister Frieda Memorial Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on July 11, 1957. Rev. Marvin H. Ewert was in charge, with music by William Kruger and a sextet of student nurses. Rev. J. E. Entz was in charge of the graveside service in Greenwood cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1957 Aug 27 p. 544