Sister Esther E. Schmidt
Sister Esther E. Schmidt, 83, Deaconess
for Bethel Deaconess Hospital and Bethel Home for the Aged in Newton,
died Friday (June 19, 1998) at Friendly Acres Retirement Community in
Newton.
She was born Jan. 15, 1915, in Goessel
to Wilhelm and Susie (Schmidt) Schmidt. They preceded her in death.
She was a member of First Mennonite
Church and had lived in Newton since 1949. She was the last surviving
Bethel Deaconess of the 49 deaconesses. Her death signals the end of
the deaconess era, which began with the ordination of the first three
deaconesses and the opening of Bethel Deaconess Hospital on June 11,
1908.
In August 1949, she wrote to Bethel
Deaconess Hospital inquiring about job openings, where she took a
position in the dietary department. A year later, she transferred to
laundry and later was assigned also to mending and altering student
uniforms.
She was invited to join the Sisterhood,
and after a time of discernment, accepted the invitation. She was
invested as a Deaconess on June 11, 1953. In 1957, she transferred
her church membership to the First Mennonite Church in Newton and
remained an active member until her death.
In connection with the 50th anniversary
of the hospital, she was ordained as a Deaconess with Sister Dorothy
Albrecht. Her ordination scripture was Isaiah 40:31: "But they
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount
up like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and
not faint."
She served in the laundry for 15 years
and spent 10 years in housekeeping. She retired in 1979 but continued
to work on a draperies project until completed in 1983.
After retirement, she volunteered in
caring for plants in the hospital and Bethel Home for the Aged and
plantings in various places around the hospital, including the flower
bed at the front entrance.
She also was an artist, and received an
award in 1994 for one of her paintings. She enjoyed gardening,
knitting, crocheting, quilting and embroidering. She was known for
developing friends wherever she went.
In her retirement, she lived in the
Deaconess Home, the Bethel Apartments, Kidron Bethel Healthcare
Center and finally at Friendly Acres.
Survivors include one brother, Eldon
Schmidt of Hesston, and one sister, Rubie Epp of Hutchinson.
She also was preceded in death by one
brother, George Schmidt, and one sister, Susie Hershberger.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday at First Mennonite Church with Pastor David Keim of the
church and Chaplain Louise MacClanahan from Newton Medical Center
officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Petersen Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to the General
Conference Commission on Overseas Mission in care of the funeral
home.
