Dorothy Mae (Unruh) Schmidt

Dorothy M. Schmidt, 94, died Friday, (Sept. 3, 2010) at Newton Medical Center in Newton.

She was born on July 11, 1916, in Newton to Harrison and Anna (Schroeder) Unruh. On May 7, 1937, she married Reinhold F. Schmidt in Hillsboro. He preceded her in death on April 17, 1987. Dorothy was a longtime active member of the Grace Hill Mennonite Church in rural Newton. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and taught public school for 25 years. Dorothy was involved in Women in Misson and Kidron Bethel Auxiliary. She volunteered her time with Newton Et Cetera shop, and the Newton Medical Center gift shop.

Dorothy had a great love of her family. She enjoyed researching and writing family histories and genealogies. She always looked forward to spending time with her many friends and loving family.

She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Betta and Marlin Kym of Moundridge, and Deanna and Reynold Entz of Whitewater; sons and their wives, Randall and Rachel Schmidt of Eudora, and Ralph and Jeanne Schmidt of Whitewater; sister, Eunice Esau of Hutchinson; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Reinhold Schmidt; her parents Harrison and Anna Unruh; brothers, Chester and Allen Unruh; daughter-in-law, Rosalie Voth Schmidt; and a great-grandson Matthew Cole Schmidt.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in rural Newton, with Pastor Peter Goerzen presiding. A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Grace Hill Church Cemetery. Memorials may be left with Kidron-Bethel, Bethel College or Grace Hill Mennonite Church in care of Petersen Funeral Home.