Schrag, Laura Nettie Sherk (1914-2002)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Jan 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1914 Mar 15

text of obituary:

LAURA SCHRAG

Laura Nettie (Sherk) Schrag, 88, of Harrisonburg, Va., died Sept. 19, 2002. She was born March 15, 1914, to Alvin E and Barbara (Schmetzer) Sherk in Elmira, Ont. She grew up in Elmira and was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). At age 18 she was baptized into the Mennonite Church.

She attended Ontario Mennonite Bible School in Kitchener, Ont., where she met Gordon Schrag, whom she married June 16, 1937. He was ordained into the ministry, and she spent most of her active lifetime supporting his ministry. She became known for her hospitality and friendliness to strangers.

They planted mission congregations near Stouffville and Alma, Ont., from 1937 to 1945. In 1946, they moved to Lowville, N.Y., where he pastored First Mennonite Church of New Bremen and she led singing and summer Bible school and hosted many guests.

In 1956, they moved their family to Goshen, Ind., where she and her family could attend Goshen College. After taking secretarial courses, she worked at Mennonite Historical Library on Goshen College campus and at Mennonite Mutual Aid in Goshen. From 1964 to 1966 she served as hostess at the Voluntary Service Center at Mennonite Board of Missions in Elkhart. In 1967 they moved to Calico Rock, Ark., where he pastored and she continued her ministry of hostess and support. She was active in community organizations, including the Garden Club, director of the 50+ Club, and hospital auxiliary.

In 1976 she retired to Harrisonburg. There she was known for her friendliness and frequent visits to people in Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, where they resided from 1981 on. She loved singing, reading, visiting with people and playing Skip-Bo. She is remembered for encouraging others.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Kauffman of Harrisonburg; three sons, Keith of Ames, Iowa, James of Sarasota, Fla., and Mark of East Lansing, Mich.; a sister, Gladys Schlueter of Kitchener; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.