Obituary

"Messenger of Truth" Vol. 100, No. 15, July 18, 2001:

Elizabeth Unruh Schmidt was born to Cornileus D. and Dina Unruh on March 20, 1912, at Halstead, Kansas. She peacefully passed away on June 6, 2001, at Grace Home, Livingston, California, reaching the age of eighty-nine years.
Elizabeth spent her childhood years growing up and working on the farm with her father at Halstead, Kansas. Mother was united in marriage to Irvin Schmidt on February 26, 1937, at Halstead, Kansas, sharing life's joys and sorrows for sixty-four years. To this union were born eight sons and five daughters.
Mother and Dad were converted and baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Halstead, Kansas, approximately five years after their marriage. She embraced this faith until her end.
In 1958, they left the Halstead community and moved to California. In 1963, they purchased a ten-acre ranchette in the Atwater area, living there thirty years. There they grew a large garden, serving their family and the community during their retirement years. The last two years of her life were spent at Grace Home in Livingston, California.
Our mother was the cornerstone of the family, rearing us children with patience and a positive attitude. She had a friendly disposition, and her home was always open to friends and family. We all treasure pleasant memories of our mother, grandmother, and friend.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Irvin Schmidt, Livingston, California; ten children: Shirley Busby, Wichita, Kansas; Lois Drennen, Cameron Park, California; Virgil and wife Cecila, Hilmar, California; Vera and husband Chuck Jones, Atwater, California; Calvin and wife Judy, Grants Pass, Oregon; Michael and wife Carol, Kingman, Arizona; Rose and husband Stanley Nosik, Moreno Valley, California; and Ruth Schmidt, Turlock, California; one daughter-in-law, Della Nichols, Winton, California; twenty-two grandchildren, thirty-six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Pearl Kater, Wichita, Kansas, and Clara Penner, Newton, Kansas; and a host of relatives and friends.
Those preceding her in death were her parents, three sons, six brothers, and six sisters.
Funeral services were held at the Winton Congregation of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Winton, California, on June 11, 2001. Ministers John Jantz and Russell Spence were in charge. Burial was in the Winton District Cemetery, Winton, California, with Min. Greg Dyck officiating.