Schmidt, Peter U. (Mrs.) Unruh (1874-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Mar 23 p. 6

Birth date: 1874 Aug 11

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Apr 1 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. PETER U. SCHMIDT

Mrs. Peter U. Schmidt, only daughter of Jacob and Anna Unruh, was born at the emigrant home at Hamburg, Germany Aug. 11, 1874, while the parents were awaiting the ship which would take them to the U. S. As an infant child of two days she came with her parents and five brothers to the U. S. in the great emigration of the Mennonites from Russia to America in 1874.

The family settled in Marion county, Kansas, two miles south of the town of Goessel, where she spent her childhood days and from where she attended school as well as helping her parents in the many duties of those days of pioneer life. Because of her mother’s falling health, and finally total blindness for two and one-half years, the departed was unable to attend school very much. In spite of these adverse conditions she was gifted in writing beautiful poems which gave expression to her religious faith. During the blindness of her mother she would read to her from the Bible and comfort her in her declining years.

She was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer Jesus Christ June 6, 1892, by Rev. Jacob Buller and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church, whose faithful member she remained until her death.

She was united in marriage to Peter U. Schmidt on March 17, 1898, by Rev. C. C. Wedel. To this union were born five children, of whom one son, Arthur, passed away at the age of 20 years.

Because of failing health she submitted to a serious operation in 1917, after which she regained her health quite well. In 1940 she began to suffer with the ailment diagnosed as hardening of the arteries, which weakened her physical condition greatly, and affected her hearing and memory. On March 10, 1953, she had a light stroke which took away her speech. Exactly a year later on March 10, 1954, she suffered another stroke which left her helpless, and her physical body began to decline rapidly. All possible medical care was given her, but she passed away on Thursday night, March 18, 1954, reaching the age of 79 years, seven months and seven days.

The departed had lived on the farm most of her life up to 1931, when she and her husband moved to Goessel, Kansas. During the last 11 months they both lived in the Bethesda Home for the Aged.

Her life was mingled with joys and sorrows. Sorrows are bound to come when sickness preys upon the human body and when health is wanting. She also experienced many good and joyful days. On March 20, 1948, the parents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The departed mother was able to live a long life together with her devoted husband for 56 years and one day.

She also loved to sing Christian hymns that were dear to her. Some of the songs that she loved were, “Gott ist die Liebe, Er liebt auch mich,” and “Fels des Heils Geoffnet mir.” In her trials and sorrows she often expressed her longing to be with the Lord. She has now gone Home. The prayer of the Psalmist, “He hath heard my voice and supplications,” Ps. 116:1, has been answered.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, P. U. Schmidt of the Bethesda Home at Goessel; her children, Louise, Mrs. Jacob A. Duerksen and family, Washington, D. C., Anna, Mrs. Frank Goossen and family, Oakley, Kansas, Ernest, his wife Elle and family of Canton, Kans., Richard and wife Tina and family of Canton, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, (one born soon after her death); one half brother, William Unruh, Newton, Kansas, and one half-sister Mrs. Jacob A. Voth of Walton, Kansas; four sisters-in-law, Mrs. Henry Unruh, Mrs. Jacob Unruh, Mrs. John Unruh and Mrs. David Unruh, and also many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Bethesda Old Folks Home and the Alexanderwohl church on March 21, 1954, in charge of her pastor, Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Dr. D. C. Wedel of North Newton, Kansas. Interment was made in the church cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1954 Apr 13 p. 240