If this site was useful to you, we'd be happy for a small donation. Be sure to enter "MLA donation" in the Comments box.
Schmidt, Martha Maxine (1919-1944)
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 Jun 6 p. 14
Birth date: 1919 Mar 11
text of obituary:
Lebensverzeichnis von Martha Maxine Schmidt. Unsere teure Tocher u. Schwester Martha Maxine Schmidt, Tochter von Daniel B. u. Anna Schmidt, Schmidt wurde geboren den 11 März 1919 in der Nähe von Goessel, Kansas u. starb den 7ten Mai 1944 um 5 Uhr Nachmittags im Hospital zu Enid, Okla. im Alter von 25 Jahre 1 Monat u. 26 Tage nach fast zwei jähriger Krankheit. Martha erhielt ihre Schulbildung in der Pleasant Valley Schule ost von Goessel. Am 31. Mai 1936 wurde sie auf das Bekenntnis ihres Glaubens von Aeltester P. H. Unruh getauft u. in die Alexanderwohl Gemeinde aufgenommen deren treues Glied sie blieb bis zu ihrem Ende. Es war für sie eine große Freude daß sie die Meno Bible Schule in Schuljahr 1941-1942 besuchen durfte u. hatte sie im Plan ihre Studien dort im nächsten Jahre fortzusetzen. Aber am 6ten Juni 1942 erlitt sie einen Unfall in einem Automobil Unglück welches ihr große Schmerzen verursachte. Aber sie trug ihr Kreuz mit viel Geduld u. Ergebung, obwohl sie ihre Pläne nicht fortsetzen konnte in ihrer weitern Ausbildung um dem Herrn zu dienen. Sie ist unter Aerztlicher Behandlung gewesen seit sie das Auto Unglück hatte u. als der hiesige Arzt in Enid, Okla., der hr [sic] sagtee [sic] daß ihre einzige Hilfe in der Ausführung einer sehr schwierigen Operation läge. Sie entschloß sich zu dieser Operation u. wurde am 5ten Mai im Hospital aufgenommen. Am 6ten wurde die Operation vollzogen welche auch gut gelang. Aber am 7ten Mai entwickelte sich ein sogenannter “Bloodclot” u. machte ihrem Leben ein schnells [sic] Ende. Martha war stets hilfbereit u. es war ihr immer ein große Freude wenn sie andern einen Dienst erweisen konnte. Sie hatte große Pläne für die Zukunft aber der Herr plante anders. Auf ihrem Krankenbette sprach sie die volle Zuversicht aus ihren Eltern gegenüber daß der Herr sie nicht verlassen werde u. daß sie fertig sei heim zu gehen wenn es so sein Wille sei. Ihre Motto war Gal. 2:20 “Ich lebe aber, doch nun nicht ich, sondern christus lebt in mir! Wir werden sie sehr vermissen aber es ist unser Trost daß wir sie beim Herrn daheim wissen. Ihren allzu frühen Tod betrauern ihre betrübten Eltern ihr Verlobter Emil Thomas, zwei Schwestern Mary Jane und Alice Eileen und ihre Ehegatten Edwin und Adolf Janzen, drei Brüder, Walter im Dienst über dem Meer, John und Clarence beide daheim. Ein Bruder starb im Kindesalter. Sie hinterläßt ferner 2 Neffen und eine Nichte.
Nun bin ich heim und ach welche ein Begrüßen
Ward mir zu Teil im Vaterland
Die Lieben die der Tod uns hier entrissen
Begrüßen mich am goldnen Strand
Nun warten wir auf euch am Perlentore
Bis ihr auch dort begrüßt vom Engelchore
Einst neu vereint mit uns singt diesen Reim
Nun bin ich heim,
Nun bin ich heim!
Text Ps. 77, 14 u. Ps. 23, 4 Rev. C. C. Wedel
Text Gal. 2: 20 Rev. H. B. Schmidt
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 May 11 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— The many friends of Martha M. Schmidt were shocked when the news was received here Sunday evening that she had died in a hospital at Enid, Okla., at five o'clock Sunday afternoon. Although not in the best of health, she continued her daily work and was a courteous and efficient employee of the Superior Food Store here for a considerable time. Her passing away therefore was entirely unexpected to her friends as well as her family. Miss Schmidt was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan B. Schmidt living east of Goessel. She had left here last week for Enid, where she had a major operation but was seemingly getting along satisfactorily when her death occurred. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church. Besides her parents she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Adolf H. Janzen of 318 Pine street, Mrs. Edwin Janzen of route 3; three brothers, Walter, who is overseas, and John and Clarence at home.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 May 18 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— Evidently one of the largest funerals held at the Alexanderwohl church near Goessel this year was that of Miss Martha M. Schmidt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Schmidt, on Thursday afternoon. Miss Schmidt, who until early this month was an employee of the Superior Food Mart here in Newton, died Sunday, May 7, in a hospital at Enid, Okla., where she had submitted to a major operation. She and her fiance, Emil Thomas, Ringwood, Okla., had planned to be married sometime later in summer and in anticipation of this happy occasion she had already bought her wedding dress. Evidently knowing that she would not recover, she requested shortly before her death that she be buried in this dress, a wish with which her parents also complied. Besides her deeply sorrowing parents, family and fiance, she is mourned also by a large circle of relatives and friends who had learned to love her because of her sincerity and and [sic] fine Christian character. Ministers who conducted the funeral services were Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. H. B. Schmidt. Rev. J. E. Entz of Newton conducted the committal service at the grave.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Jun 1 p. 3
text of obituary:
MARTHA MAXINE SCHMIDT
Martha Maxine, daughter of Daniel B. and Anna Schmidt-Schmidt, was born near Goessel, Kansas on March 11, 1919. She departed this life in the hospital at Enid, Okla., on May 7, 1944, at 5 o'clock P. M. at the age of 25 years, one month and 26 days, following an illness of almost two years. Martha received her early education in the Pleasant Valley school east of Goessel.
Upon the confession of her faith, she was baptized by Elder P. H. Unruh, and accepted into the membership of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church near Goessel, Kansas, on May 31, 1936, of which she remained a true and faithful member until her death.
It was a great joy to her when she had the privilege of attending the Oklahoma Bible Academy at Meno, Oklahoma, in the year of 1941-1942. She had great plans of returning the following year when on June 6, 1942. She had great plans of returning the following year when on June 6, 1942, she met with an automobile accident which caused her much pain and suffering. But with her faith in Jesus she carried her cross bravely and without much complaining. This all kept her from returning to the work she loved so well, however, her desire was to serve her Lord and Master in every possible way.
She has been under the doctor's care since the accident. When the doctors here could not help her anymore, she consulted a doctor in Enid, Okla., and was told the only way to cure here would be through a serious operation.
She was willing to try this and said how good it would be to be well again. She entered the hospital on May 5, and on the following day was operated. The operation was successful, but a blood clot developed on May 7 which suddenly ended her life.
She had great plans for the future, but the Lord planned it differently.
Martha lived for others. She was so glad to help someone in need. On her sick bed she told her parents that the Lord Jesus Christ would not leave her and she was all ready to go, whenever her Master called for her. Her motto was Gal. 2,20: "I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
We will miss her greatly but rejoice to know that she is now at home with the Lord.
She leaves to mourn her all too sudden departure her bereaved parents; her fiance, Emil Thomas; two sisters, Mary Jane and Alice Eileen and their husbands Edwin and Adolf Janzen; three brothers, Walter, who is in the service overseas, and John and Clarence both at home. One brother preceded her in death in infancy. She also leaves many friends and relatives.
Funeral services were held at the home on Thursday, May 11, at 1:30 and at the Alexanderwohl church at 2:30 with her paster [sic], Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. H. B. Schmidt, conducting the service.
The men's quartet sang her favorite song, "Near to the Heart of God," "Does Jesus Care," and "Asleep in Jesus."
Pallbearers were Ben Schmidt, Henry Unruh, Vernon Schmidt, David Warkentin, Rudy Schmidt and John Mellott. Interment was in the church cemetery in charge of the Bergen funeral directors of Goessel.
What though the way may be lonely,
And dark the shadows fall;
I know where'er it leadeth
My Father planned it all.
The sun may shine tomorrow
The shadows break and flee;
'Twill be the way he chooses,
The Father planned it all.
He guides my halting footsteps
Along the weary way,
For well he knows the pathway
Will lead to endless days.
A day of light and gladness
On which no shade will fall,
'Tis this at last awaits men —
May [sic] planned it all.
I sing through shade and sunshine,
And trust whate'er befall;
His way is best — it leads to rest:
My Father planned it all."
—The Bereaved Family
The Mennonite obituary: 1944 Jul 25 p. 15