Schmidt, Arnold (1915-2005)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2005 Oct 14 p. 27

Birth date: 1915 Nov 23

text of obituary:

ARNOLD SCHMIDT

Arnold Schmidt died Aug. 5. He was born Nov. 23, 1915 to David and Wilhelmina Schmidt in Wymyschle, Poland. At 21 he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour, following the visit of a travelling preacher. The next year he was baptized. He was a farm labourer and worked in a flourmill. He was conscripted into the army in 1944, then became a prisoner of war, first in France and then in England. In England he attended a Baptist Church in Chatham where he received a New Testament. He was freed in Nov. 1947 and stayed in the MCC camp in Gronau, Germany. In 1948 he immigrated to Mission, B.C. He married Hedy Ratzlaff Oct. 10, 1949 in Linden, Alta. They settled in Richmond, B.C. where he worked for Eburne Sawmill. They were hospitable particularly to immigrants coming to Canada. They enjoyed travelling to California, South America, Europe and the Holy Land. He loved the Lord and his faith was evident in his Bible reading and prayers, particularly for his family. Favourite passages were Psalm 23 and John 3:16. A favourite German hymn was "I Will Sing the Wondrous Story." He longed for his heavenly home. He loved the church and supported many Christian fund raising events. He volunteered at a care home, Pinegrove Place. He shared vegetables from his garden. Predeceased by 4 brothers, 4 sisters, he is mourned by Hedy, daughter Ann Kroeker of Richmond; 2 grandsons; 3 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Aug. 11 in Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, with Rudy Willms and Frank Peters ministering.