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Schmidt, Sara Wedel (1867-1944)
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 Feb 29 p. 15
Birth date: 1867 Sep 19
text of obituary:
Sara Wedel Schmidt, geboren am 19. Sept. 1867 zu Alexanderwohl, Südrußland, kam 1874 mit Eltern nach McPherson County, Kansas, genoß hier christliche Erziehung und Schule und half in den schweren Pionierjahren fleißig mit bei der Arbeit Nach erhaltenem Unterricht ward sie am 8. Okt. 1885 von Aelt. Jakob Buller getauft und Glied der Alexanderwohl Mennonitengemeinde, wo sie lebenslänglich Glied blieb. Am 16. Mai 1889 heiratete sie Johann Schmidt, getraut von Pred. Heinrich Richert. Es wurden ihnen 6 Kinder geboren, wovon 3 ihr im Tode vorangingen. Nach dem Tode ihres Gatten am 5. Juli, 1908 fiel die schwere Aufgabe ihr zu ihre Kinder allein zu erziehen. Als ihr Schwiegersohn Abr. U. Reimer starb blieb sie 6 Monate zum Aushelfen und Trost bei ihrer Tochter. Als ihre Tochter Elisabeth, Frau P. J. Duerksen, starb, führte sie ihrem Schwiegersohne trotz ihres vorgeschrittenen Alters, eine Zeitlang den Haushalt. Sie hatte ein warmes Herz für die Mission und die Gemeinde und betete während ihrer Krankheit des öftern für deren Wohlergehen. Auch trug sie Kinder und Enkel auf betendem Herzen, und gedachte besonders ihrer beiden eingezogenen Großkinder, Arthur und Walter Reimer. Sie hat 2 schwere Operationen durchgemacht. Ernstlich erkrankte sie am 2. Januar, 1944, sodaß sie zum Bethesda Hospital gebracht wurde; trug aber ihr Leiden in Geduld und hat sich während ihrer Krankheit viele Sprüche und Liederverse zum Trost und Glaubensstärkung vorgesagt und war dankbar für alle Dieste. Sie war sich ihrer Sündenvergebung bewußt und starb im festen Glauben an ihren Heiland am 16. Febr. 1944 im Alter von 76 J. 4 M. und 28 Tagen. Es trauern um sie ihre Kinder: Margaret, Frau A. U. Reimer, Hillsboro, Kansas; B. B. Schmidt, Canton; Frank J. Schmidt, Newton; 2 Schwiegersöhne, 2 Schwiegertöchter, 19 Enkel, 1 Bruder und viele Freunde.
Sie ist daheim. Herr, hilf uns Glauben halten,
Daß wir in Kampf und Arbeit feste stehn,
Bis wir nach Deinem heil’gen Liebeswalten
Mit allen bei Dir sind im Wiedersehn!
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Feb 24 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Wedel Schmidt, wife of the late John P. Schmidt, were held at the Alexanderwohl church near Goessel Sunday afternoon. Minsters C. C. Wedel and H. B. Schmidt were in charge of the services, and the Alexanderwohl men's chorus rendered comforting messages in song. Rev. J. E. Entz of Newton conducted the committal services at the grave. Mrs. Schmidt passed away Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 16, at the Bethesda Hospital after a long and severe illness. She was past 75 years old. Children surviving are: One daughter, Mrs. Margaret Reimer, Hillsboro, and two sons and their families, B. B. Schmidt, Canton, and Frank J. Schmidt, route 5, Newton.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 May 4 p. 3
text of obituary:
MRS. SARA SCHMIDT
Sara Wedel Schmidt was born Sept. 19, 1867, in Alexanderwohl village of South Russia. In 1874 she immigrated with her parents to the United States, where they settled in McPherson county, Kansas. Here she spent her childhood and youth and received a Christian education in the home and school. she was an industrious worker in the house as well as in the field, and thus shared in the pioneer work of those days.
On Oct. 8, 1885, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by Elder Jacob Buller and was received into the membership of the Alexanderwohl church, where she was a faithful member to the end.
On May 16, 1889, she was united in marriage to John P. Schmidt. Rev. Heinrich Richert performed the marriage ceremony. To this union six children were born of whom three preceded her in death. She was grandmother of 23 grandchildren of whom two died. After the death of her beloved husband on July 5, 1908, she took charge of the education and training of her family which was a hard task for her.
It was a very hard blow to her when her youngest daughter Maria (Mrs. Daniel Duerksen) passed on to her eternal home. She spent some time with her son-in-law and children, giving comfort and aid in every way she could.
Being an unselfish person, she also spent six months at the home of her daughter, to give comfort and help when her son-in-law Abraham U. Reimer was laid to rest. And when her daughter Elizabeth, Mrs. P. J. Duerksen died, she performed the household duties for her son-in-law for some time in spite of her advanced age.
She had a warm heart for mission work and prayed often for the welfare of the congregation. As a true mother she often brought her family in supplication before the throne of God and especially included her two drafted grandsons, Arthur and Walter Reimer in her prayers.
During her lifetime she underwent two major operations. On Jan. 2, 1944, she became seriously ill and was brought to the Bethesda Hospital. She bore her suffering patiently. Bible verses and songs which she recited freely, gave her comfort and strengthened her faith. She was grateful for all service rendered to her during her illness. With the assurance that all her sins were forgiven, she died in the firm belief of the atoning sacrifice on Calvary.
On Feb. 16, 1944, she passed away at the age of 76 years, four months and 28 days. She leaves to mourn her departure her children, Margaret, Mrs. A.U. Reimer of Hillsboro, Kans., B. B. Schmidt of Canton, Kans., Frank J. Schmidt of Newton, Kans. Two daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, 21 grandchildren, one brother and many relatives and friends.
The Mennonite obituary: 1944 May 9 p. 15