Schmidt, Abraham (1885-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Dec 7 p. 5

Birth date: 1885 Jan 4

text of obituary:

. . .

• On Dec. 2, Abraham Schmidt, retired farmer, died in his home in Newton at the age of 77 years. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday afternoon at the Tabor Mennonite Church, with Rev. James H. Waltner in charge. Survivors besides his wife include two sons, five daughters, 27 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Dec 28 p. 8

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM SCHMIDT

Abraham Schmidt, Newton, Kan., son of Jacob S. and Sara Hiebert Schmidt, was born near Goessel, Kan., on Jan. 4, 1885. He departed this life at Newton on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 3:20 p.m. to be forever with His Lord. He attained the age of 76 years, 10 months, and 28 days. Upon his confession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, he was baptized on May 22, 1904, by Elder Peter Balzer and joined the fellowship of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church near Goessel. After the organization of the Tabor Mennonite Church, he transferred his membership to that church, of which he was a faithful member at the time of his death.

On May 31, 1908, he entered into holy matrimony with Elizabeth Schmidt, with whom he shared joys and sorrows for over 53 years. Our parents celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in 1933 and were privileged to also celebrate their golden wedding in 1958.

Ten children, five sons and five daughters, were born to this union of which three sons preceded their father in death: Waldo on Sept. 10, 1909, Philip on Oct. 30, 1930, and Marvin on May 2, 1942.

He received his elementary education in the Goessel community and attended the Bethel Academy two years. Our parents lived on a farm north of Newton until 1945, when they moved to Newton. For the past several years he worked at the Newton Public Library.

During his younger years, he was very active in the work of the church, having served as choir director and Sunday school superintendent and teacher for many years.

He was much interested in the spiritual welfare of his children and grandchildren.

He had been in failing health for the last several years. He remained conscious to the end of his life, and was ready to meet his Savior. He quietly fell asleep.

His parents and two brothers, Frank and Isaac Schmidt, preceded him in death; also two grandchildren, Jerold Reimer and Marsha Koehn.

He leaves to mourn his passing, and to remember his life of faith, his wife, Elizabeth; seven children: Harlow and (Teresa) Schmidt, of rural Newton, Verna and husband Milferd Reimer of Newton, Eldon and (Cora) Schmidt of rural Newton, Emma and husband Elmer Reimer of Newton, Nola and husband Ernest Koehn of Newton, Viola and husband LeRoy Ratzlaff of Goessel, and LuEtta and husband Raymond Frey of rural Hillsboro; a daughter-in-law, Elma and husband Willard Regier of rural Newton; 27 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one sister, Elizabeth, Mrs. Henry F. Voth of Newton; one foster-sister, Mary, Mrs. Ben Duerksen of Goessel; three brothers, Cornelius H. Schmidt and Philip Schmidt of Walton and Nick Schmidt of Newton, and many other relatives and friends. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1962 Jan 9 p. 27; correction 1962 Jan 30 p. 74