After a life of love and quiet grace, Mary Schmidt, 94, has passed.
A life is more than dates on a stone; here is a small portion of her story.
Mary entered this world in 1918 — the start of a journey that would span 95 years.
Mary saw decades come and go, and held the lessons of each.
Mary Gladys Schmidt, 94, of Monroe, went peacefully to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at her home. She was born on May 26, 1918 near Bridgewater, SD to George and Anna Janzen. She accepted Jesus as her Savior as a young girl when she attended an evangelistic tent meeting at the New Hutterthal Mennonite Church; she later became a member of the Bethesda Mennonite Church near Marion, SD. Mary graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1936. On October 4, 1936 she was united in marriage to Ervin Schmidt; they shared 44 years together. They had two children, a son, Wayne, and a daughter, Jeanette. Mary spent her entire life on the farm, helping with all aspects of farming, including field work. She loved working with the farm animals, particularly the sheep, ducks, and geese. She became an integral part of Schmidt Motor Company and did all of the title work and registration as well as many other tasks. Mary and Ervin traveled to many countries, but they especially enjoyed the Holy Land, Alaska, Germany, England, and South America. Gardening was a passion in the spring and summer when flowers and vegetables were in abundance. Mary always had plenty to share with family and friends. Because she loved collecting antiques, she enjoyed auction sales, garage sales, and flea markets. Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Wayne Schmidt and wife Bonnie, and Jeanette Kostboth and husband Allan; 6 grandchildren, Jerry Schmidt (Karen), Joel Schmidt, Jeffrey Schmidt (Steff), Jonathan Schmidt (Denise), Mark Kostboth (Lisa), and Maria Boyd (Eric). Mary enjoyed 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She was close to her 3 surviving sisters, Theresa Reynolds, Clara Ernatt, and Martha (Marvin) Conners. She has 4 surviving half-brothers, Jim Janzen, LeRoy Janzen, Paul Janzen, and Alvin Janzen. Preceding Mary in death were her husband, Ervin, her parents, 2 brothers, 3 sisters, a great grandchild, a half-brother, and a half-sister. Funeral services will be 10:30am Monday, May 6, 2013 at Bethesda Mennonite Church, rural Marion with burial in the Tieszen Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 4:00pm Sunday at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Chapel, Marion with family present from 6-8:00pm. Memorials may be designated to Bethesda Mennonite Church, Zion Lutheran Preschool, or Sioux Falls Christian School.
