Schmidt, Peter H. (1897-1976)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1976 Dec 2 p. 8

Birth date: 1897

text of obituary:

Newton & Vicinity

. . .

● Funeral services for Peter H. Schmidt, 79, retired farmer of Goessel, were held Sunday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church. Rev. Orlando Waltner officiated. Mr. Schmidt died Nov. 20 at the home in Goessel. A native of McPherson County, he married Martha Nikkel at Goessel in 1921and she died in 1938. In 1939 he married Susanna Wedel Goossen, and she died in 1967. In 1968 he married Frieda Wedel. She survives with one daughter, Edna Nickel, and one son, Eldon L. R. Schmidt, both of Route 1, Canton; one step-son, Joseph W. Goossen of Route 1, Newton; one step-son, Joseph W. Goossen of Route 1, Newton [sic - duplicated in original]; one step-daughter, Rosella Goering of Wichita; one brother, Jacob H., of Goessel; and 14 grandchildren.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1977 Jan 20 p. 11

PETER H. SCHMIDT

Peter H. Schmidt, one of eight children of Heinrich and Agatha Loewens Schmidt, was born on Aug. 29, 1897 on the family farm in McPherson County, Kansas where he was raised and where he lived until eight years ago when he became a resident of Goessel.

He farmed the land which was purchased by his grandfather, Jacob Schmidt, upon arriving in this country. Jacob H. Schmidt, the oldest and only living brother, and wife Helen also reside in Goessel.

He completed his elementary education at Pleasant Valley, District 89, near the family home.

Forseeing the possibility of being drafted during World War I, and rather than waiting until Pentecost as was customary he together with a number of others was baptized on Dec. 26, 1917 by Rev. Peter H. Unruh. He became a member of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, where he remained faithful until his promotion to his heavenly home on Nov. 26, 1976.

Father was married to Martha Nikkel on Sept. 28, 1921. She died on Aug. 30, 1938. One daughter, Edna, was born to this union. She with four of her children lives at rural Canton. Edna’s oldest daughter, Wenda, and husband Bill Black live near Sedgwick.

On June 11, 1939 father married Susanna Wedel Goossen, at which time he became the cherished father of two step-children, Joseph and Rosella. Later a son, Eldon, was born to this union. Eldon, his wife Sandra and their two children reside on the family farm. Joseph and wife Elaine and four children, presently on furlough from missionary service in Brazil, are living near Newton. Rosella and husband Arthur Goering and three children live in Wichita. Mother died on Sept. 13, 1967.

On Nov. 17, 1968, father married our dear Aunt Frieda Wedel, who had so graciously cared for mother in her many years of illness.

As children we enjoyed having father relate his boyhood experiences. We appreciate the line upon line and precept upon precept instructions of Christian principles which he so consistently taught us. He did not necessarily verbalize these, but they were communicated by his life and his reflecting upon the many issues at hand in the various experiences of life. A favorite passage of his was Psalm 23.

His occupational interest was farming, and his interest was continued through the years of retirement as he remained involved in the activities on the family farm. Along with this, his interests were turned to soil conservation, and he sensed real achievement in seeing his land conserved and built up.

The capstone experience with father was our Thanksgiving gathering where all the children together with all 14 grandchildren and one grandson-in-law gathered with Pop and Mom Frieda. Although he was ill with a heart ailment, he was very happy.

— The Family