Schmidt, Jacob F. (1883-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Dec 11 p. 11

Birth date: 1883 Dec 26

text of obituary:

JACOB F. SCHMIDT

Jacob F. Schmidt was born on a farm east of Buhler, Kan. on Dec. 26, 1883, and went to his heavenly rest on Oct. 12, 1969, at the age of 85 years.

His schooling was limited since he had to help with the family support as his father passed away when he was 14 years of age. He was a farmer all his life until June of 1943, when our parents took residence in Buhler.

He was baptized upon his confession of faith on May 20, 1902, by Elder peter Balzer and received into the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church. He retained this membership until his earthly departure.

He was married to Maria Dyck on June 13, 1906, by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff. She preceded him in death on Aug. 1, 1958. This union was blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom one son, Eldo, and one grandson, Orville Schmidt, also preceded him in death.

He married Mrs. Marie Ratzlaff-Schroeder on June 7, 1959, in whom he found loving companionship and happiness for over ten years.

Dad enjoyed good health until about his 80th year when his eyesight and hearing began to dim and finally he became blind. In August 1966 he suffered a stroke. Since that time he had been hospitalized at various times and needed special nursing care. Therefore our parents took residence at the Schowalter villa at Hesston on March 28, 1969. Here they received good and appreciated nursing care.

On Oct. 7 he suffered another stroke and pneumonia set in, whereupon he entered Mercy Hospital at Moundridge, Kan. where he died.

We cherish his fatherly love, his paternal concern in kindness, understanding, devotion and prayer.

He lives on in the memory of: Marie, his wife; Rubena and husband Dave Friesen; Lydia and husband Albert M. Ediger; Otto and wife Linda; Olin and wife Tillie; Esther and Marvin Neufeldt; John and wife Rubina; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one brother, C. J. and wife, Marie, Buhler; two sisters, Mrs. H. H. Ediger of Buhler and Mrs. H. H. Flaming, Las Cruces, N. M.; one step-brother, P. J. Dyck, Buhler; one step-sister, Mrs. Anna Nachtigal, Sunshine Home, Buhler; two sister-in-law, Mrs. H. F. Schmidt, Buhler, and Mrs. J. J. Dyck, Buhler.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Hoffnungsau Church with Rev. Dick Rempel officiating. Interment was made in the church cemetery. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1969 Nov 4 p. 667