Schmidt, Ernest Wilfred (1922-2005)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2006 May 19 p. 25

Birth date: 1922 Dec 5

text of obituary:

ERNEST WILFRED SCHMIDT

Ernest Wilfred Schmidt died June 27, 2005. He was born Dec. 5, 1922 in Hepburn, Sask. to Peter and Tina Schmidt, and grew up in a family of 11 chil- dren. During WW II, Ernie joined the medi- cal corps. He served at the 24th Canadian Gen - eral Hospital in Surrey, England as an operating room technician. Following the war, he gradu- ated from McGill Medical School. Ernie married Leona Fast in 1950 and the couple entered mission service in the Belgian Congo. There, Ernie pioneered a hospital. Due to political instability and violence, the family separated, with Ernie returning to a frontline hospital in Kikwit. After returning to Canada, Ernie took training in obstetrics and gynecology, gradu- ating from the University of Saskatchewan in 1968 . He practiced in Saskatoon for many years. He also worked as an associate professor and took a public stand in defence of the unborn. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Ernie appreciated nature and photography, and was a man of strong faith and conviction. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Leona ; children Howard (Jerri), Joanne (Richard) Lepp, Warren (Barbara), Kathy (Paul) Dirks, Janet (Steve) Guenther; 16 grandchildren; 3 sisters; 6 brothers. The funeral was June 30 at Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.