Unruh, Susanna Wedel Schmidt (1851-1928)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1928 Dec 13 p. 7

Birth date: 1851 Dec 10

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1928 Dec 12 p. 4

text of obituary:

Susanna Unruh

Susanna Unruh, nee Wedel was born in southern Russia December 10, 1851. There she spent her childhood and youth until with her parents and a large group of relatives and friends she immigrated into this country in the year 1874. The first winter she spent at Florence, Kansas, and then with others she went to Illinois where she worked for three years to earn her living and repay what had to be borrowed for the journey to Ameica [sic America].

Before coming to this country she was baptized at the village of Antonofka in Russia and united wit the Mennonite Church, in this country she united with various congregations as she changed residences always however, to some Mennonite Church. When a number of years ago she moved to Moundridge, Kansas she with her husband became a member of the First Mennonite Church of Christian and remained a member here until she departed this life.

Soon after returning to Kansas after a three years sojourn in Illinois, she entered into holy wedlock with Jacob S. Schmidt on April 2, 1879. to this union 10 children were born, seven of which were sons and three daughters. Three of the sons passed away in early infancy. the sons that survive the mother are, Abraham L. of Enid, Okla., Jonathan D., pastor of a Congregational Church in Chicago, Ill., and Simon P. and Edwin A. of Spearman, Texas. The daughters are Mrs. J. H. Decker and Mrs. D. F. Friesen of Moundridge, and Mrs. T. A. Boese of Burrton, Kansas.

On the 3rd of August 1906 the husband with whom the deceased sister shared joys and sorrows for a little over 27 years passed away. After a little over three years she was married to the now bereaved husband Benjamin P. Unruh on November 25, 1909 and for almost 19 years they were permitted to go thru life together.

About a year ago the departed sister began to fail in health. In August of this year she consulted a physicion [sic] who diagnosed her case as Diabetes. On October 12 she was taken to the Bethel Hospital where she received the best of care. here she remained for 18 days, but since she desired to be with her children she was taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. H. Decker and family. Here she quietly passed away at 5 A. M. Saturday, November 25. Her age was 76 years, 11 months and 14 days. — Moundridge Jour- [sic].