Schmidt, Earl M. (1921-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 May 22 p. 10

Birth date: 1921

text of obituary:

Farmer Drowns In Attempted Swim From Submerged Auto

Guernsey, Sask. — Earl M. Schmidt, 48, well-known farmer of the Drake community, drowned near here early Tuesday, May 6, when he attempted to swim to land from the top of the submerged auto where he and members of his family were stranded after an accident.

The funeral was conducted May 9 at the North Star Mennonite Church, where he had been a deacon.

Mr. Schmidt, his two daughters, one of his two sons and a girl friend of the older daughter were returning home after attending the concert of the Canadian Mennonite Bible College Choir in Saskatoon. At an intersection near here, at about 1:30 a.m., the car driven by Mr. Schmidt overshot the corner and plunged into nearby icy waters.

All six passengers clambered onto the car roof before it sank into 10 feet of water. After about an hour of waiting in chest-deep water, Mr. Schmidt tried to swim the 75 to 100 feet to dry land, but his attempt was unsuccessful.

The young people stayed on the car top, and at about 4 a.m. a potash mine employee heard their cries for help. Police reached them by boat around 5:30 a.m. Mr. Schmidt's body was recovered some hours later.