Schmidt, Ernest Wilfred (1922-2005)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2006 May 19 p. 25

Birth date: 1922 Dec 5

text of obituary:

ERNEST WILFRED SCHMIDT

Ernest Wilfred Schmidt died June 27, 2005. He was born Dec. 5, 1922 in Hepburn, Sask. to Peter and Tina Schmidt, and grew up in a family of 11 children. During WW II, Ernie joined the medical corps. He served at the 24th Canadian General Hospital in Surrey, England as an operating room technician. Following the war, he graduated from McGill Medical School. Ernie married Leona Fast in 1950 and the couple entered mission service in the Belgian Congo. There, Ernie pioneered a hospital. Due to political instability and violence, the family separated, with Ernie returning to a frontline hospital in Kikwit. After returning to Canada, Ernie took training in obstetrics and gynecology, graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 1968. He practiced in Saskatoon for many years. He also worked as an associate professor and took a public stand in defence of the unborn. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Ernie appreciated nature and photography, and was a man of strong faith and conviction. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Leona; children Howard (Jerri), Joanne (Richard) Lepp, Warren (Barbara), Kathy (Paul) Dirks, Janet (Steve) Guenther; 16 grandchildren; 3 sisters; 6 brothers. The funeral was June 30 at Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.