Schmidt, Margaret Barkman (1861-1942)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1942 Jul 21 p. 13

Date of Birth: 1861 Jan 9, S. Russia
Date of Death: 1942 May 31, Oklahoma

text of obituary:

Frau Heinrich D. (Margaret) Schmidt, Cordell, Okla., ward am 9. Januar 1861 zu Schönau, Süd-Rußland geboren und kam in 1874 mit ihren Eltern, Heinrich und Justina Rempel Barkman, nach Marion County, Kansas wo sie das Pionierleben durchkostete. Am 15. August 1880 ward sie von Aelt. Jakob Buller getauft und Glied der Alexanderwohl Gemeinde. Am 7. Febr. 1882 heiratete sie Heinrich D. Schmidt, der ihr am 13. März 1940 voranging. Im September 1898 zogen sie mit ihren 4 Kindern und einem Pflegesohn auf eine Heimstätte 3. M. Nordost von Cordell, Okla. wo sie nochmals das Pionierleben reichlich kostete. Nach einigen Jahren adoptierten sie ein kleines Mädchen. Hier waren sie Glieder der Sichar Gemeinde bis 1904 als ihr Gatte einen Ruf der Salem Gemeinde erhielt und im Oktober 1904 als Prediger ordiniert wurde. Nach 5 Jahren löste sich diese Gemeinde auf und sie schlossen sich der Herold Gemeinde an, bis ihr Gatte in 1911 einen Ruf der Sichar Gemeinde annahm, der er dann 17 Jahre treu diente. Da das Farmleben zu anstrengend wurde, zogen sie und ihr Gatte in 1929 nach Cordell, und nach seinem Ableben wurde für die Mutter auf der alten Heimstätte ein kleines Heim gebaut, das sie im Mai 1940 bezog. Wenn auch Altersschwäche sich zeigte, so erfreute sich die Mutter bis Mai 1942 mäßiger Gesundheit als sie dann ein leichter Schlag traf und sie am 31. Mai sanft entschlief, wohl um 5 Uhr, wie der Arzt meinte. Sie wurde 81 J. 4 M. und 22 Tage alt, und hinterläßt 1 Tochter, Frau John Schmierer, Cordell; 2 Söhne: Henry B., Cordell und Peter B., Walton, Kans.; den Pflegesohn, Henry S. Raßlaff [sic], alle mit Familien; und viele Freunde. Sie fühlte sich sehr vereinsamt nach dem Heimgang ihres Gatten und sehnte sich auch nach der Auflösung um beim Heiland zu sein, dem sie treu gedient. Ihr plötzliches Scheiden war für die Angehörigen angreifend; aber der Herr weiß am besten und verschonte sie vor einer gefürchteten langen Krankheit. Oft zitierte sie: “Welt, ade, ich bin dein müde. . . . Die Begräbnisfeier fand am 3. Juni statt, im Hertranft Funeral Home, geleitet von Pred. J. R. Duerksen, und hernach in der Sichar Kirche auf dem Land wo die Prediger Jakob Jantzen, Menno H. Kliewer und A. W. Froese dienten und ein Quartett sang, wo dann auch die Bestattung auf dem Gemeinde Friedhof neben ihrem Gatten stattfand und sie der Auferstehungsposaune harrt.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Jul 9 p. 5

text of obituary:

MRS. HEINRICH D. SCHMIDT

Margaretha Schmidt, nee Barkmann, was born at Shoenau, South Russia on January 9, 1861, the daughter of Heinrich and Justina Rempel Barkmann. In 1874 she came to America with her parents and they settled on a farm in Marion County, Kansas, where they experienced the trials of pioneer life.

She gave her heart to her Lord and Master and after receiving instruction she was baptized by the Rev. Jacob Buller and became a member of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church on August 15, 1880.

On February 7, 1882, she was married to Heinrich D. Schmidt, and they shared their joys and sorrows for 58 years, until her husband departed this life on March 13, 1940.

After making their home on a rented farm in Kansas for sixteen years, they and their four children and one foster son, came to Oklahoma and made their home on a homestead about three miles northeast of Cordell in September, 1898. Here she had another taste of the hardships of pioneering. A few years later she and her husband decided to make room in their home for another child, and they adopted a little girl to be their daughter.

They joined the Sichar church and remained members there until 1904 when her husband received and accepted a call from the Salem congregation and where he was ordained minister of the gospel in October of that year. After five years the Salem congregation disbanded and she and her husband joined the Herold church. In 1911 her husband received and accepted a call from the Sichar church, and here she quietly and faithfully helped her husband carry the burdens of his ministry for seventeen years.

Realizing that farm life was becoming too strenuous for them, she and her husband left the old homestead in the fall of 1929 and made their home in Cordell.

When her husband passed away in 1940, she came to the conclusion it would be unwise to live alone in her home in town, and expressed a wish that a small house be prepared for her on the old homestead. This was done, and she entered that new home in May, 1940.

Although becoming feeble with age, she was in fair health until a little over a month ago when she suffered what appeared to be a light stroke. But she rallied, and the effects of that stroke became less and less.

She departed this life on May 31, 1942. Her children, returning from a visit she insisted they make, found that her spirit had flown and she seemed to be enjoying a deep and restful sleep. Dr. A. H. Bungardt was called and after examination, he pronounced that her death occurred at [line repeated in newspaper] approximately 5 o'clock that afternoon. She reached the age of 81 years, 4 months and 22 days.

She leaves behind one daughter, Margaret (Mrs. John Schmierer), Cordell; two sons, Henry R. of Cordell, and Peter B. of Walton, Kansas; one foster son, Henry S. Ratzlaff, Cordell; four daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, fourteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, and many other relatives and friends. Her husband, one son (David), and her adopted daughter (Marie) preceded her in death.

She felt very lonely since her husband went before, and she often expressed her desire to leave his world and be with her Lord and Master whom she served faithfully in spite of many sorrows and trials. To find that she had gone so suddenly during their absence was a great shock to her children, but the Lord knew best when he answered her prayers and took her suddenly, for she always dreaded the possibility of a long illness, fearing she might become a burden to her loved ones.

We know she has gone where she wished to go. She has gone to her heavenly home, and though we do not begrudge the blessedness she now experiences, the place she has left seems empty indeed.

Mother often quotes, "Welt, ade, ich bin dein muede," or "Farewell world, I am wearied of thee," and now she rests, free from care and earthly sorrow.

Funeral services were held on June 3. At 2:00 p.m. a short service was held at the Harttronft funeral home, led by Rev. J. R. Duerksen of the Herold church, and at 3:00 p. m. at the Sichar church where Rev. Jacob Jantzen made the opening remarks in German. Rev. Menno H. Kliewer, pastor of the Sichar church, spoke in English and read the obituary, and Rev. A. W. Froese led in the closing prayer. A quartet sang several appropriate numbers during the service. Interment was made at the church cemetery where Rev. Kleiwer made the closing remarks and led in prayer.

She sleeps at the side of her husband, awaiting the sound of God's trumpet.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Shoenau, S. Russia
Daughter of Heinrich and Justina (Rempel) Barkmann
Married Heinrich D. Schmidt 1882 February 7
Homemaker -- Kansas, Cordell, Oklahoma

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
See Heinrich D. Schmidt for 4-generation photo

Sources:
Mennonite Weekly Review 7/9/1942 p. 5, obit
Grandma Profile 76365: Name listed as Baerkman
Find A Grave 18526378