Schmidt, Abraham David (1905-1978)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 May 26 p. 30

Birth date: 1905 Dec 24

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM DAVID SCHMIDT

Abraham David Schmidt of Clearbrook, B.C., son of David and Wilhelmina Schmidt (nee Matis), passed away at the age of 72 on April 20, after having lived a life full of activity, friendship and service for his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

He was born on December 24, 1905 in Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland, and accepted Christ as a teenager. He became a member of the Deutsch Wymyschle Mennonite Brethren Church in 1925.

He emigrated to Canada in 1929, and one year later, enrolled in Tabor Bible School, in Dalmeny, Sask. It was there that he met his wife, Alma Schmidt, and they were married in 1932.

The couple moved to Sunnyslope, Alta., where he worked as a farmhand. It was here that the first of their three children, Mary Ellen, was born. In 1935 they moved back to Dalmeny, where Abraham and Alma served as houseparents and cooks for the Tabor Bible School. Two years later, they moved to Steinbach, Man., where their second child, Irvin Jacob, was born. Leaving Steinbach in 1938, the family moved to Didsbury, Alta., where he established a trucking business, and their third child, Delores Ruth, was born. In 1947, they moved westward to Arnold, B.C., where Abraham prospered as a dairy farmer. Wherever he could he shared with the widows and needy families in the community.

He sold the farm in 1965, and went into semi-retirement, working seasonally at Clearbrook Frozen foods. His wife, Alma, passed away in 1967, but God graciously provided and brought him together with Nettie Peters, whom he married in 1968.

He officially retired in 1970, but continued to work for and serve others. He and his wife Nettie served as caretakers of the Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren church for one year, until failing health limited his physical activity. He possessed a genuine warmth in his greetings, and had a great concern for the house of God.

He was especially happy to return to his home in Poland in 1973, and to visit the Holy Land in 1977. His final and most significant journey took place on April 20, when he departed from this life bound for life everlasting in the presence of his Lord.

Those left behind to mourn their loss include his wife Nettie of Clearbrook, B.C.; three children, Mary Ellen Klassen, Vancouver, B.C.; Irvin Jacob Schmidt and his wife Joan, Vancouver, B.C.; Delores Ruth and her husband, Rev. Larry Kliewer, Kitimat, B.C.: four brothers, three sisters and a host of relatives and friends.