Foth, Walter H. (1904-1981)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1981 May 28 p. 8

Birth date: 1904 Apr 12

text of obituary:

NEWTON & VICINITY

. . .

● Newton attorney Walter N. [sic H.] Foth, 77, died May 23 in Newton. Services were held May 27 at the Bethel College Mennonite Church with John Esau and Don Kauffman co-officiating. In addition to his widow, the former Esther M. Krehbiel, he is survived by two daughters: Marilyn (Mrs. Howard) Schmidt of Newton and Lois (Mrs. Robert) Corbin of Ponca City, Okla.; one brother, Reuben of Fresno, Calif.; and five sisters: Ruth Baergen of LaHabra, Calif., Linda Schroeder and Alma Schroy, both of Downey, Calif., Esther Andres of Newton and Mary Foth of Los Angeles; and two grandchildren. A brother, Adolph preceded him in death.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1981 Jul 2 p. 11

text of obituary:

WALTER H. FOTH

Walter H. Foth was born to Jacob A. and Eva Foth on Apr. 12, 1904. He grew up on a farm southeast of Cordell, Okla. with seven brothers and sisters. He attended Cordell public schools, Cordell Christian College and Bethel College of North Newton, Kan., before graduating from the University of Rochester, N.Y., in 1926.

For three years he taught in the Foss and Cordell, Okla. public school systems. After receiving a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1931, he returned to Cordell to establish a private law practice.

On July 26, 1940 he married Esther Krehbiel. Two daughters were born to this union, Marilyn Jane and Lois Irene. One son, Leroy Sherwin, died in infancy.

In 1970 he and his wife moved to Newton, Kan. to serve as estate planner for Bethel College until he opened law offices in Newton and Moundridge.

He was baptized upon the confession of his faith and received into the Sichar Mennonite Church. Later his membership was transferred to Herold Mennonite Church of Cordell and the Bethel College Mennonite Church of North Newton.

Arising out of his strong interest in General Conference activities was his eagerness to help organize churches in Clinton, Okla., Arvada, Colo. and Topeka and Liberal, Kan.

He leaves a large hole in the fabric woven between him and his family and friends as his vitality and love of life were ever-present. Especially remembered are his hearty laugh, the display of his deep interests and loyalties, his love of travel, his generosity, the strength that bolstered the family and his ever-present involvement with them.

He is survived by his widow; two daughters, Marilyn (Mrs. Howard) Schmidt of Newton and Lois (Mrs. Robert) Corbin of Ponca City, Okla.; a brother, Reuben of Fresno, Calif.; five sisters, Mrs. Ruth Baergen of La Habra, Calif., Mrs. Linda Schroeder and Alma Schroy of Downey, Calif., Mrs. Esther Andres of Newton and Mary Foth of Los Angeles, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Jason and Ryan Corbin.