Schmidt, Elisabeth Andres (1890-1991)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1992 Feb 20 p. 11

Birth date: 1890 May 30

text of obituary:

ELISABETH ANDRES SCHMIDT

Elisabeth Andres Schmidt was born May 30, 1890, in Marienburg, Germany, to Cornelius and Katherine Neufeld Andres, the youngest of seven children. She died Dec. 13, 1991.

She was baptized in Heubuden Mennonite Church. She lived through trying times in both world wars, but the family was able to remain in their home during World War I. During World War II, in January 1945, they were forced to flee with only the things that could be carried in hand. She and her sister were in Dresden during the fire bombing that reduced the city to rubble. Some time later the two arrived in Lautenback in Wurttemburg, province of West Germany, where they stayed with friends for several years. They made contact with other family members and with relatives in the United States.

She immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York on Dec. 6, 1950, and went to Newton, Kan. She found employment doing housework. She became a U. S. citizen in the mid-1950s.

She married Cornelius Schmidt of Beatrice, Neb., on May 30, 1957. She joined Beatrice Mennonite Church. Her husband died Nov. 25, 1961.

Twice she was able to visit her homeland. She moved to Beatrice Townhouse, now Kensington, and lived there until Nov. 1981, when she transferred to the Geriatrics of Beatrice Community Hospital, where she remained until her death.

She is survived by two stepsons, Carl Schmidt of Beatrice, Neb., and Walter Schmidt of Wichita, Kan.; 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces.

Preceding her in death are two stepsons, Arthur and Ernest Schmidt; one granddaughter and one foster grandson.