Schmidt, Mariam Penner (1901-1993)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1993 Apr 15 p. 8

Birth date: 1901 Apr 4

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1993 May 6 p. 15

text of obituary:

MARIAM PENNER SCHMIDT

Mariam Penner Schmidt was born April 4, 1901, in Dhamtari, India, to missionary parents, P. A. and Elizabeth Penner. She died April 10, 1993, at her home in Newton, Kan.

When Mariam was 5 her mother died and was buried in Calcutta, India. For the next 10 years, Mariam was cared for by relatives in Mountain Lake, Minn. She returned to India for three years of schooling: two high school terms at Queen's Hill School in Darjeeling and her first year of college at Woodstock in Landour. She finished her undergraduate work at Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., going on to Columbia University, New York, and the University of Kansas for a master's degree in French.

On Aug. 24, 1932, she married Herbert R. Schmidt. They moved to Newton in 1935, where Herbert began practicing medicine.

Mariam taught languages at Bethel College at intervals for 25 years. She enjoyed her memberships in the Newton Treble Clef Club, Harvey County Medical Auxiliary, Bethel Hospital Auxiliary and Ladies Reading Circle.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Susan Rhoades, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Madalyn.

A memorial service was held April 13 at Bethel College Mennonite Church. The family requests memorial be given for the Mariam Schmidt Foreign Language Chair at Bethel College.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1993 May 25 p. 19