Schmidt, Bertha Pankratz (1897-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Jun 30 p. 3

Birth date: 1897 Nov 12

text of obituary:

MRS. WALTER SCHMIDT

Mrs. Bertha (Pankratz) Schmidt, wife of Walter H. Schmidt, was born November 12, 1897, near Cordell, Oklahoma, and died June 15, 1949, at Hobart, Oklahoma.

She received religious training at home and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour and was baptized on May 24, 1915, by Rev. Michael Klassen, and received into the church fellowship at the Herold Mennonite Church near Cordell, Oklahoma. After settling in Gotebo, Oklahoma she transferred her membership to the Ebenezer Mennonite Church, where she was a faithful member and an ardent worker for the Lord until her passing into the region where the Lord has His reward for His faithful followers.

On August 24, 1920, she was united in holy matrimony with Walter H. Schmidt of Gotebo. During these twenty-nine years she has been very faithful unto her husband and family. During these short years of union three daughters were born and she has had the privilege of seeing these daughters have their own families. She was a faithful mother and grandmother when the need was the greatest.

A number of characteristics of her life will remain in our minds. She was always willing to give her best to any cause which was honorable. The amount of effort expended was never too great if she could help someone in need. Whereever [sic] she went she would always be encouraging others with a smile that would lift the saddened heart to a higher level.

She had been troubled with a heart ailment for a number of years; during the last several months she had been afflicted more frequently with attacks. On Monday June 13 the doctor had advised her to come to the hospital in Hobert [sic], Okla. for more intensive medical care and on Wednesday, June 15, about 5 a. m. she passed on to be with the Lord and Saviour, whom she dearly loved. She passed away while she was sleeping and so we feel that she is not dead but asleep in Jesus.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband; three daughters. Edna, (Mrs. H. B. Ray) of Washington D. C., Clara (Mrs. Charles Scott) of Overland, Mo., Martha (Mrs. J. F. McCurdy of Okla. City, Okla.; three sons-in-law; six grandchildren, Jerald [sic Jarold] Almon and Barbara Ann Ray, Charles Louis, Walter Harlan, and Kenneth Earl Scott and Beverly Jo McCurdy; her mother, Mrs. Sarah Pankratz, Cordell, Okla.; mother-in-law. Mrs. John Schmidt of Gotebo, Okla.; one brother, Otto Pankratz, Cordell, Okla.; three brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law. Mrs. Otto Pankratz of Cordell, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Schmidt of Gotebo, Okla., Miss Helena Schmidt of Oklahoma City, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Kaufman of Wichita, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Schmidt of Oklahoma City, Okla., and many other relatives and friends.

Separation is painful, yet we rejoice because for her all tears and sufferings have ended. We are not comfortless nor sorrowful as those who have no hope, for we know that we shall be reunited with her in the presence of the Saviour. She reached the age of 51 years, seven months and three days.