Schmidt, Henry D. (1877-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Jul 1 p. 5

Birth date: 1877 Jan 12

text of obituary:

. . .

• Word has been received of the death of Henry D. Schmidt, 88, retired farmer of the Pawnee Rock community, which occurred Sunday at a Larned rest home. He was born in Russia and came to the Pawnee Rock community at an early age. He leaves his widow, Anna, four sons and five daughters and their families. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at the Bergthal Mennonite Church by Rev. Gary Stenson, the pastor.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Jul 22 p. 11

text of obituary:

HENRY D. SCHMIDT

Henry D. Schmidt was born on Jan. 12, 1877, near the city of Berdiansk in South Russia. He passed away on June 27, 1965, in Pawnee Rock, Kan., at the age of 88 years, five months and 15 days.

A son of David Schmidt and Eva Becker Schmidt, he had seven brothers and six sisters, all of whom preceded him in death.

Henry came to America as a child with his parents in the fall of 1885. He grew to young manhood in the Pawnee Rock, Kan. area. He was baptized on June 10, 1894, by Rev. Peter Dirks in the Bergthal Mennonite Church.

In 1895, the family moved to Marion County where his father served as pastor of the Friedensthal Church. Although his father passed away on May 15, 1898, the family continued to live there until October, 1901, when Henry, his mother and his younger brothers came back to Pawnee Rock to farm again in this area.

On Oct. 17, 1907, Henry was united in marriage with Katherine Unruh of Pawnee Rock. To this union four children were born, of which two, Gilbert and Katy, passed away during their infancy. His wife, Katherine, passed away on June 5, 1913. Surviving this union are Paul of Pawnee Rock and Mabel Marsh of Syracuse, Kan.

On Jan. 14, 1914, Henry was united in marriage to Anna Unruh. Seven children were born to this union. Surviving are Ervin of Elmhurst, Ill., Olga Hamack of Cameron, Wis., Eva Nachtigal of Winton, Calif., Helen Deckert of Pawnee Rock, Edward of Appleton, Wis., Alice Ortman of Larned, and Earl of Pawnee Rock.

Henry retired from farming in 1948, moving to Pawnee Rock at the time. Through the years, he maintained a strong interest in church and community affairs.

Always a devoted and loving father, his passing is deeply mourned by his widow, Anna, by four sons and five daughters, 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Two grandchildren preceded him in death.

He felt that he had received much from life on this earth. Throughout his entire lifetime he suffered from asthma and lameness. With courage, persistence, and hard work he resolved many difficult situations not only for himself but for others. Members of the family look forward to the time when they shall meet him again in heaven.

The Mennonite obituary: 1965 Aug 31 p. 540