Alvin T. Schmidt
Alvin T. Schmidt, 94, passed away
peacefully on Monday (Dec. 31, 2018) at Kidron-Bethel in North
Newton. The fifth of six children of Frank and Helena (Reimer)
Schmidt, Alvin was born on April 14, 1924, at home on the family farm
in the southeast quarter, section 2, Highland Township, Walton. He
grew up on the farm, attended Walton schools and graduated from
Walton High School in 1942. That same year, he was baptized by Rev.
P. H. Richert and received into membership at Tabor Mennonite Church.
Alvin worked on the family farm and had
a farm deferment during World War II. After the war ended in 1945,
Alvin served as a "seagoing cowboy" transporting livestock
across the Atlantic Ocean to war-ravaged Europe. Alvin attended
Bethel College for two years and then returned to the family farm.
On Dec. 20, 1952, Alvin married Wilma
Voth, with whom he raised four children: Christine, Linda, Elizabeth
and Emil. Of all of his accomplishments, Alvin considered his
marriage to Wilma to be "the crowning achievement" of his
life. Alvin and Wilma celebrated their 66th anniversary on Dec. 20,
2018.
Alvin was interested in advances in
farming practices. He instilled in his children the values of hard
work, responsibility and achieving one's best. He read daily
devotions at the breakfast table, said prayers at the family table
and enjoyed picnics in the field at harvest time. After turning the
dairy over to his son, Alvin encouraged Wilma to pursue her fabric
art. They became co-owners of The Quilt Shop in North Newton.
Alvin and Wilma enjoyed square dancing
with Shoe Scuffers. They traveled extensively on various tours, the
highlight of which was a trip to Mennonite World Conference in 1984
in Strasbourg, France. He regularly attended coffee at the Whistle
Stop in Walton. Alvin loved singing. He could be heard singing in the
dairy barn on the farm, and after he moved a quarter mile down the
road when his son took over the family farm, he could be heard
singing in his garden. He also loved to read, go fishing and, in
later years, feed the fish and the birds.
Alvin's varied interests and
involvements included two terms on the board at Peace Connections,
two terms on the board of Harvey County Habitat for Humanity, being a
founding member of the Harvey County Milk Haulers and 31 years on the
board of Sand Creek Watershed. His church life included two terms as
trustee and two terms as deacon at Tabor Mennonite Church, many years
on the Peace and Social Concerns Committee, participation in several
small groups and singing in the church choir for most of his adult
life.
Alvin was preceded in death by his
sisters, Lily (Melbourne) Whitsett, Velma (Ruddie) Claassen and Olga
(Joe) Conway; his brother, Roland (Ruth Krehbiel) Schmidt; and his
grandson, Nathan Aaron Schmidt.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma;
sister, Leona Griffith; daughters, Christine of Vernon, British
Columbia, Linda of Kimberling City, Missouri, and Elizabeth (Greg
Nye) of North Newton; son, Emil (Vickie) of rural Walton; and four
grandsons: Lucas Wiebe (Jill Worboys) of Coldstream, British
Columbia, Patrick Wiebe of Montreal, Toban Wiebe (DaWeon Ryu) of San
Francisco, California, and Michael Wiebe of Vancouver, British
Columbia.
Cremation is planned. An inurnment
service will follow at a later date. Family received friends from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 4, 2019) at Tabor Mennonite Church
Fellowship Hall. Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m.
Saturday (Jan. 5, 2019) at Tabor Mennonite Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Mennonite Central Committee or Tabor Mennonite Church Building Fund,
in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Goessel.
