Alvin T. Schmidt

Alvin T. Schmidt, 94, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2018, at Kidron-Bethel in North Newton, Kansas. The fifth of six children of Frank and Helena (Reimer) Schmidt, Alvin was born at home on the family farm on the SE quarter, section 2, Highland Township, Walton, on April 14, 1924. 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 December 20, 1952, he 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, 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, B.C., Linda of Kimberling City, Missouri, and Elizabeth (Greg Nye) of N. Newton, son Emil (Vickie) of rural Walton, and four grandsons, Lucas Wiebe (Jill Worboys) of Coldstream, B.C., Patrick Wiebe of Montreal, Que., Toban Wiebe (DaWeon Ryu) of San Francisco, CA, and Michael Wiebe of Vancouver, B.C. Cremation is planned. An inurnment service will follow at a later date. Family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019, at Tabor Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Celebration of Life service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 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.

Alvin T. Schmidt

April 14, 1924 - December 31, 2018