Schmidt, Katharine Schroeder (1879-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Apr 3 p. 8

Birth date: 1879 Oct 4

text of obituary:

KATHARINE SCHMIDT

Katharine Schroeder Schmidt was born in Schardau, South Russia on Oct. 4, 1879, and passed away on March 18, 1958, at the age of 78 years, five months and 14 days.

When she was four and a half she came to America with her parents, Henry and Anna Schroeder. The family lived on a farm near Lehigh, Kansas. There were four borthers [sic] and a sister younger than Katharine. She was 14 years old when her mother passed away.

When she was 18 she came to Pawnee Rock to visit her aunt. Here she met Samuel J. Schmidt. They were married on April 14, 1989, by Rev. Peter Dirks in the rock house built by Jacob A. Schmidt, Samuel's father. They lived on a farm in the Pawnee Rock community until 1925 when Samuel passed away.

Katharine continued to live on the farm where she reared her family of six daughters and five sons. Two other sons died in infancy. One daughter, Selma Schmidt Neilan, preceded her in death.

She was an active member of the Bergtal Mennonite Church where she taught a Sunday school class for many years. She was a charter member of the mission society of the church and continued to take an active part in all the work carried on by that group as long as she lived.

Those who survive are five daughters: Esther Schmidt of Canton, Okla., Lena Grossardt of Claflin, Kansas, Mary Klever [sic Kliever] of Cleveland, Ohio, Elizabeth Lundstedt of Inglewood, Calif., Caroline Compton of Wilmington, Calif.; five sons, Harold B. of Pawnee Rock, Jacob H. of Pawnee Rock, Robert L. of Helena, Mont. Roland A. of Pawnee Rock, Samuel J. of Revere, Mass.; one sister, Elizabeth Schimdt [sic Schmidt] of Greensburg, Kansas; three half sisters, Helena Ortman of Dolton, S. D., Anna Beier of Bridgewater, S. D., Marie Boese of Dallas, Oregon; one half-brother, Peter Schroeder of Livingston, Calif.; 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Two brothers, Andrew and Henry Schroeder, preceded her in death.

Mother realized the importance of education and encouraged all her children to take advantage of educational opportunities. She gave the essential Christian background which is the foundation of life. She worked with her family and her garden in her quiet unassuming way. All who knew her saw her true self reflected in her children and her flowers.

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Apr 22 p. 252