Schmidt, Katharine Koehn (1858-1932)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1932 Oct 12 p. 4

Birth date: 1858 Apr 3

text of obituary:

Mrs. Andrew T. Schmidt

Mother Andrew T. Schmidt, nee Katharine Koehn, daughter of Peter and Eva Koehn, was born April 3, 1858, in South Russia in the province of Polen, where she grew to womanhood. In the year 1874, shortly before the great emigration from Russia to America, she was baptised upon her confession of faith by Elder Tobias Unruh and thereby joined the Mennonite Church.

She came here with her parents and fully experienced the pioneer life of the new country.

In the year 1879 she was married to Andrew T. Schmidt with whom she has shared joy and sorrow for 53 years. This union was blessed with 11 children (5 sons and 6 daughters) who are all living and all of whom are married.

She was a true wife and a devout mother, willing to sacrifice for her family. To possess great riches did not seem to be her lot; yet she seemed to be contented with circumstances in life, and lived, as much as she knew how, for her God, who has also redeemed her in Christ Jesus. She could not read and write and was therefore dependent upon what others said and read to her.

Through all the years here in America she and her husband have counted themselves members of Emmanuel church near Canton, Kans., and recently were fully recognized as members by a resolution passed by the church.

On Saturday afternoon, October 1, through a hemorrhage of the heart, death suddenly came upon her and she passed out of life into eternity at about 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon.

She was planning to go to town with her neighbors when God called her home and away from all worries.

She reached the age of 74 years and 6 months, less 2 days.

She was the only one of her family yet living. (Andrew and Peter, her two brothers, were likewise suddenly called by death.)

She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, eleven children, five daughters-in-law, six sons-in-law, 44 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Three grandchildren preceded her in death. A host of relatives, friends and neighbors hope to meet her in glory.

Funeral was held from the Emmanuel church, Tuesday, October 4, at 2 P. M. Rev. Richard, minister from the brethren church of McPherson, made the introduction with Scripture reading and prayer, and J. J. Ratzlaff, minster of the church preached the funeral sermon. The mixed choir of the church rendered several songs of the church, and also at the grave. The following children were present for the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. Koehn, Taloga, Oklahoma; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Koehn, Plains, Kansas; Peter and Leola, Kismet, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. John Boese, Garden city, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Nightengale, Minneapolis, Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. Neal Schmidt and Mr. and Mrs. Tobe Schmidt, McPherson, Kansas.