Schmidt, Anna Voth (1868-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jul 12 p. 8

Birth date: 1868 Jan 2

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA SCHMIDT

Mrs. Anna Schmidt, daughter of Kornelius and Helena Voth, was born Jan. 2, 1868, in Gnadenthal, South Russia. In 1874 the family came to America and settled in Marion county, Kansas near Lehigh.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith by Elder Jacob Buller on June 14, 1886, and received into membership in the Alexanderwohl church at Goessel, Kan.

On Jan. 8,1891 she was united in marriage to John H. Schmidt. Our parents were permitted to share the trials and blessings of this life for 42 years, until father preceded her in death in 1933.

Our parents established their first home in Darlington, Okla., where father was a teacher in the Mennonite Indian mission school. After about a year and a half they moved to a farm near El Reno, Okla. and affiliated with the Mennoville Mennonite church there. In 1902 they move to a farm at Gotebo, Okla., where they joined the Friedenstal church. In 1921 when this congregation united with the Ebenezer church near Gotebo, our parents also became members of that congregation.

After father's death mother move to a small house in Gotebo where she might spend her remaining years. However, after living there for 19 years the infirmities of old age made it impossible for her to continue alone. In 1945 she moved to Wichita, Kan. to make her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Kaufman.

After a prolonged period of failing strength, her weakness greatly increased. Despite the loving and tender care of her daughter it was evident she was going toward the setting sun. On June 14 without a struggle mother peacefully slipped away toward the Heavenly Father's house, having reached the age of 88 years, five months and 12 days, exactly 70 years after her baptism (three score years and ten in the church).

Mother was a devout Christian. Her faithfulness in church work and Sunday school teacher, and her interest in missions were an inspiration to many.

She is survived by two daughters, Helena Schmidt of Oklahoma City and Rosa Kaufman of Wichita, Kan.; three sons, Walter H. and Oscar E. of Gotebo and Irvin E. of Oklahoma City. (Her eldest son, Phillip, died in infancy.) She also leaves three daughters-in-law; one son-in-law, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is one brother, Rev. P. R. Voth of Newton, Kan. and a host of friends and relatives.

Rev. George Stoneback had charge of the funeral services in Wichita on Saturday, June 16. On Sunday, June 17, services and interment at the Ebenezer Mennonite Church at Gotebo, Okla., were in charge of Rev. Henry Hege.