Beutler, Martha Schmidt (1879-1941)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Jul 16 p. 4

Birth date: 1879 Dec 17

text of obituary:

Mrs. Martha Schmidt Beutler

Mrs. Martha Schmidt Beutler was born December 17, 1879, near Moundridge, Kansas. She received her education in a district school one mile east of Moundridge. In her early youth she was baptized and united with the Christian Mennonite church.

Later in life she took up a nurses' training course, first in Decatur, Ill., and later in Cincinati [sic Cincinnati], Ohio. Here she received her diploma as a registered nurse. She also nursed in Berne, Ind., and other places, generally returning to her Alma Mater in Cincinnati of which she became head nurse for a period of time.

After the serious illness of her father she came again to Kansas and nursed him through an operation from which he never fully recovered. She then took up private nursing around her old home community and it was during this time that she became intimately associated with her childhood schoolmate, Otto Beutler, and this culminated in their marriage on March 5, 1916, and they with his son, Milton, came to their Western Kansas home where they have spent a busy farm life. One son, Floyd, was born to this union, and a daughter, Ruth was taken into the home, who later became Mrs. Milton Beutler. Floyd was married to Miss Esther Friesen, of Inman.

Mrs. Beutler had a busy home life and many a neighbor and friend called on her in time of sickness and trouble and she was the neighborhood nurse for many years. But her own health began to fail slowly and so for the last several years she had to refuse the nursing calls.

Death came swiftly and quietly at one o'clock Saturday morning and her soul returned to her Maker.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, Otto, her sons, Milton and Floyd and their wives Ruth and Esther, two grandchildren Carol Janette and Melvin Otto, seven sisters and one brother and a host of friends.

For many years Mrs. Beutler has been a member of the Methodist church in Meade and has been loyal to its program. In recent years her health has kept her away from the regular services but she has always kept informed as to the progress of the church.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church in charge of Rev. L. O. Smith. The church was filled to overflowing with friends and neighbors who bore silent testimony of their appreciation for Mrs. Beutler and the Beutler family.