Schmidt, Leonard (1915-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Apr 19 p. 24

Birth date: 1915 Jan 9

text of obituary:

LEONARD SCHMIDT

Leonard Schmidt of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Nov. 19. He was born Jan . 9, 1915 to Henry and Wilhelmina Schmidt in Zytzke, Poland, the youngest of 9 chil- dren. At 16, he accept- ed Christ; the follow- ing year, he was bap- tized, joining the MB church in Wymyschle, Poland. He married Wilhelmina Ratzlaff May 20, 1939. He was conscripted into the German army. A co n- scientious objecto r, he became a chauffeur to a general. In 1948 the family immigrated to Acme, Alta., wh ere he worked as a fa rm hand. In 1951 they moved to Coaldale, Alta., where he began his lifetime occupation of carpentry. They joined Coald ale MB Church. Th ey lived in Calgary for a few years and moved to Abbots- ford in 1968. They joined King Ro ad MB Church. He join ed his son Ernie in carpentry and building houses, retiring in 1979. He had a stroke, an d his health deteriorated over a 6-year period. He then moved to Ta- bor Home, Abbots- ford. Predeceased by 6 brothers and 4 sist ers , he is mourned by Mina; sons Ernie, Gus and Cornie; daughter Hanna; 9 grandchil- dren and 7 great- grandchildren. The fu- neral was Nov. 23 in King Road MB Church, with Andrew Dyck, Ben Baier and Alvin Enns ministering.