Donald Lee Schmidt, 86, of Newton, KS,
died Wednesday from complications of pancreatic cancer at Kidron
Bethel Village. Don was born at home to David and Kathryn Schmidt who
farmed on hilly ground outside of Medford, OK during the Great
Depression . Despite the challenging times, and despite living
initially without electricity, Don and his younger brother, Lewis,
grew up surrounded by love. The family found pleasure in card games,
and, after electricity arrived at their home, radio shows like
?GangBusters.? In 1948, the Schmidts moved to Newton, where Don
attended First Mennonite Church and where, eventually, he graduated
from Newton High School. In 1956, Don began dating the love of his
life, Marlene (Kopper). They married four years later after Don
graduated from Bethel College and afterward he performed 1-W service
at Indiana University in lieu of being drafted into the military. In
the 1960s, after jobs managing Antrim Lumber and Selling Fertilizer
in York, Nebraska, he was hired as an accountant at Hesston
Corporation (now AGCO), where he would spend his entire career,
weathering a number of mergers and acquisitions and eventually
advancing to the position of corporate controller before retiring in
2001. As much as Don thrived in his career, his life was defined by
his faith in God, his commitment to serving his church community, and
his love for his wife and the three children they raised: Mike, Greg,
and Lori. Don served in a number of positions at First Mennonite,
including as a deacon and congregational leader, and held positions
on several boards, including at Kidron Bethel and Ten Thousand
Villages. The quintessential Jack of all trades, Don not only tackled
a number of projects, but also built the family?s second home with
his father. A passion for golf and antique cars occupied his spare
time. Whether attending Mike?s football games or Lori?s music
recitals or helping Greg with various projects, Don was devoted to
their well-being and encouraged them to pursue their passions. With
Marlene, he enjoyed a lifelong marriage marked by many family
vacations, concerts, dining out, and time spent with friends and
family. Don was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Elda
(Fast), and wife Marlene. He is survived by his children Mike, Greg
And Lori, his brother, Lewis Schmidt (Dorothy), his uncle, A.D.
Janzen, and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the
family asks that donations be made to the Donald L. Schmidt Memorial
Fund and left with Petersen Funeral Home.
Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m.,
Thursday November 10 2022 at First Mennonite Church in Newton with
Pastor Laura Goerzen presiding. Visitation will be 5 p.m. tp 9 p.m.
Wednesday November 9, 2022 at Petersen Funeral Home. A graveside
committal service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood
Cemetery in Newton.
