Schmidt, Marie Vogt (1872-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Oct 1 p. 9

Birth date: 1872 Aug 26

MRS. MARIE SCHMIDT

Mrs. Marie Vogt Schmidt, our mother, was born in Russia on August 26, 1872, and came to America in 1874 with her parents, settling at Marion, South Dakota where they faced the hardships of pioneer life.

In 1889 she was baptized by Elder Becker and later joined the E.M.B. church of Marion, South Dakota. When they moved to the Henderson, Nebr. community in 1935 she transferred her membership to the E.M.B. church, where she remained a faithful member until her death.

On July 8, 1892, she was united in marriage to our father, Abraham H. Schmidt, and to this union were born eight children. She leaves to mourn her departure: one son, Henry Schmidt of Parker, South Dakota; five daughters: Mrs. Kathryn Penner, Henderson, Mrs. John Duerksen, Parker, South Dakota, Helen Schmidt of the home, York, Nebraska, Mrs. John Regier, Henderson, Mrs. T. L. Werschke, York; 18 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two brothers, two half brothers, one half sister and a host of relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were: twins in infancy, her husband, one-in-law, two sisters, and four grandchildren.

Our mother's life has been a life of hardships, trials and sickness, which she always endured with patience for her confidence and trust was in her Saviour who gave comfort, help and strength. She enjoyed a measure of health in her later years until September 1952 when she became suddenly ill, which at the time seemed like stomach flu. After a number of weeks the doctor was consulted who considered her case serious and later diagnosed it as cancer of the stomach.

We have often marveled at her courage in the time of her failing health, for she believed that with God all things are possible and so she was still hoping to get well and was making plans for the future. When she learned of her sickness and its seriousness, she resigned to the will of God, knowing that God's ways are best.

She was bedfast the last seven weeks, not suffering pain but going through agony and discomfort. During the last 24 hours her suffering was intense and all human help to relieve the pain failed, but the Lord did not fail her, and we know that she did not have to cross Jordan alone.

On August 19, 8:30 a.m. she was called home to be with her Saviour, lacking one week of reaching the age of 81. She is now free from all suffering and is in the Saviour’s presence, Whom she dearly loved and served in simple childlike faith. Her great source of joy and strength was in God’s Word and His fellowship.

Funeral services were held at the E.M.B. church, Henderson, with Rev. Frank Thomas and Rev. J. R. Barkman officiating. The body was taken to Marion, S. D. to be laid to rest beside her husband. The service there was held in the E. M. B. church with Rev. Thomas and Rev. C. A. Classen officiating. Burial was made in the Bethesda cemetery. — The Family.