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Frank, Johanna Schmidt (1899-1974)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Feb 21 p. 8
Birth date: 1899
text of obituary:
. . .
• Mrs. Joanna [sic Johanna] S. Frank, 74, died Saturday evening at Axtell Christian Hospital. The former Joanna [sic Johanna] Schmidt of the Goessel community, she was a member of the Church of God at Sharon, Kan. and a former school teacher. Survivors include her husband, Rev. Edgar E. Frank of the home in Newton; a son, Charles, of Hesston; two grandchildren; two sisters, Augusta Schmidt and Mrs. Ernest Peters, both of Newton; and two brothers, Rev. H. B. Schmidt of Deer Creek, Okla. and Rudolph of Walton. A daughter, Anna Marie, preceded her in death. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Goessel Mennonite Church, with Rev. H. B. Schmidt and Rev. Wesley Fornwalt of the Church of God at Fort Scott officiating.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Mar 14 p. 11
text of obituary:
MRS. JOHANNA FRANK
Some of my earliest recollections go back to a little farmhouse about 12 miles north of Newton surrounded by big cottonwood and cedar trees. Here, enveloped by the love and concern of my parents, Jacob J. and Maria (Becker) Schmidt, and the joyful companionship of three brothers and three sisters, I spent a happy and carefree childhood.
Mother was a deeply dedicated Christian. It was largely through her influence that early in life there awoke in me a desire to dedicate my life to Christian service. Then there was dear old Dad. How faithfully and tirelessly he worked to provide for us, and he was determined that all of us should have an education.
Among the abiding influences in my life was the Tabor Church. Rev. P. H. Richert ordained me as a missionary in the fall of 1929 and later officiated at my wedding.
I earned my way through college and Witmarsum Seminary by teaching. I spent some time in India with my sister, Augusta. Outside of mother, she was perhaps most instrumental in my decision to dedicate my life to foreign mission work.
Before Augusta's furlough was over I married Rev. Edgar Frank on Dec. 20, 1933. We first served the Mendon Circuit of churches, Mendon, Ohio. It was during our service here that our daughter Anna Marie was still-born. Our next work was at the Clover Meadow Church of God. Here, little Charles arrived in our home.
We sailed for India in the fall of 1937, and for health reasons returned to the States in the spring of 1939. In the States we served churches in Illinois, Colorado, and Kansas, and I took up teaching. Over 30 years of my life were spent as teacher in the schoolroom.
The task dearest to my heart was to try to mean something worthwhile to my son Charles, his wife, Winnie, and their children Brenda and Ross. They have crowned my life with love and glory.
Our last charge was a little church about three miles west of Sharon, Kan. It meant a round trip of about 200 miles from our home at Newton. Attendance was small, but there was love and harmony in the group. Edgar and I enjoyed our drives to Sharon. In our retirement years we have had more time to enjoy Charles, Winnie, Brenda, and Ross, since they live in Hesston.
Looking back on the way by which God led me, I have to conclude: God's mission field is the world and I'm thankful He saw fit to use me as He did in a small corner of this big mission field.
Johanna died Feb. 16, 1974 at Newton, four days short of reaching the age of 75.