Schmidt, Esther E. (1915-1998)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1998 Jun 25 p. 12

Birth date: 1915

Text of obituary:

Last Newton Hospital Deaconess Dies

NEWTON, Kan. — Esther E. Schmidt, 83, the last surviving deaconess of Bethel Deaconess Hospital and Bethel Home for the Aged, died June 18 at Friendly Acres Retirement Community.

Her death marks the end of the deaconess era, which began with the ordination of the first three deaconesses and the opening of Bethel Deaconess Hospital in 1908.

Forty-nine deaconesses, also known as sisters, served the hospital and home. While a part of the sisterhood, they were required to remain unmarried.

A native of Goessel, Schmidt began working at the Newton hospital in 1949, serving in the dietary department, laundry and mending and altering student uniforms. She was invested as a deaconess in 1953 and ordained as a deaconess in 1958.

She served in the laundry for 15 years and spent 10 years in housekeeping. She retired in 1979.

After retirement, she volunteered in caring for plants in the hospital and Bethel Home for the Aged. She was known for making friends wherever she went.

She was a member of First Mennonite Church of Newton.

Survivors include a brother, Eldon Schmidt of Hesston, and a sister, Rubie Epp of Hutchinson.