Schmidt, Agatha Loewens (1854-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Nov 16 p. 6

Birth date: 1854 Oct 3

text of obituary:

AGATHA LOEWENS SCHMIDT

Agatha Loewens Schmidt was born Oct. 3, 1854 in Fuerstenwerden, South Russia, daughter of David and Maria (Schmidt) Loewens. She attended school in Russia for four years. In this time she made the best of her educational opportunities, mastering the High German language and some Russian and in addition to the regular school courses memorized many Bible verses and Christian hymns.

She migrated with her mother, three sisters and two brothers to the U. S. in 1876 where the family made their home in Marion county, Kans.

Two years before leaving Russia, in 1874, the departed was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer by Rev. Bernhard Peters. Upon arriving in America she became a member of the Alexanderwohl church whose faithful member she remained until her death.

The departed experienced the many hardships that pioneer life included in the early days of this settlement. At first the family lived in a sod house and later a house made of lumber was erected.

She was united in marriage to Heinrich E. Schmidt Feb. 26, 1880 with whom she shared life’s joys and sorrows for about 52 years, when death took her husband from her side on Feb. 10, 1932. To this union were born eight children, five sons and three daughters. Two sons and one daughter preceded them in death. their first son Heinrich died of diptheria [sic] when he was three years old, 1883. Johann, who was three, also died of the same illness, 1888. An infant daughter named Mari died at the age of two days in 1885. Henry passed away in July 1946. Mrs. Ed Hiebert (Agatha) passed away in March, 1949. Maria, who was named after her sister, also passed away in June, 1927. One daughter-in-law, Martha Nickel Schmidt, passed away in Aug., 1938. The husband and father died Feb. 10, 1932, at the age of 79 years. Thus the mother was a widow for 18 years, eight months and 22 days..

The departed mother enjoyed good health all of her life. She worked hard and had great trust in her heavenly Father. She keenly felt her insufficiency which has been expressed in a poem added by her granddaughter.

“I am not strong till Thou hast clasped my hand.
I am not fit till by Thy side I stand.
I am not brave till Thou hast come to me;
Till Thou has bound me fast, I am not free.”

She has left a rich heritage to her children, namely the true example of a child of Christ.

The departed lived a long and useful life. She was called to her reward Nov. 4, 1950, reaching the age of 96 years, one month and one day. She has perhaps become older than any one in the Alexanderwohl congregation. The Lord blessed her with a long life. Last March a malignant growth started on her throat which later was pronounced cancer, and which brought about her death. Aside from being handicapped with deafness and being practically blind toward the eve of her life, she was happy and satisfied with life as it was. She leaves to mourn her departure Jacob H. Schmidt and family of Peabody and Peter H. Schmidt and family of Canton, Kans.; one son-in-law, Edmond S. Hiebert and family, Hillsboro, Kans.; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. H. G. Hiebert and family, Hillsboro, Kans.; 17 grandchildren, (one, Solomon Hiebert, died in 1945) and 13 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Sarah Pankratz.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, for their works do follow after them.”

Funeral services were held Nov. 7, 1950, in the Bergen funeral home and in the Alexanderwohl church, conducted by Rev. Phillip A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. C. C. Wedel.