Menno Schmidt

On Saturday, December 8, 2018, Menno Schmidt, age 94, died peacefully at Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson. Menno is survived by his children, Ron (& Susan) Schmidt of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Sharon Schmidt of El Dorado; and, brothers and sisters-in-law: Milo (& Betty) Kaufman of Newton; Dalmer Kaufman of Durham; Wilmer (& Beverly) Kaufman of Red Field, South Dakota; Reitha Klaassen of Newton; Dwight Kruse of Marion; Jarold (& Joann) Kaufman of The Villages, Florida; Josephine Voth of Goessel; Orletta (& John) Georing of Gresham, Oregon; Arzella Dirksen of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and, Joyce (& Ken) Christopher of Olathe. Also survived by 22 nieces and nephews. Menno is preceded in death by his second wife, Doris (Nikkel) Schmidt; first wife, Leona (Kaufman) Schmidt; brothers and sisters-in-law: Irvin (& Lydia) Schmidt; Edwin (& Laura) Schmidt; Jeanette Kaufman; Mildred (& Rolland) Klaassen; Arene (& Arnold) Entz; Glendon Klaassen; Jerrie Kruse; Elmer Voth; Mel Dirksen; and, Abe (& Kathy) Nikkel. Menno Schmidt was born to Abraham R. Schmidt and Katie Franz Schmidt on September 6, 1924 in Buhler, Kansas. He attended Buhler Grade School and graduated from Buhler Rural High School in 1942. Menno was a four-year letterman in tennis, baseball, football and basketball at Buhler High. He was musically inclined playing the baritone in the high school band, singing in high school and church choirs as well as singing in several barber-shop quartets. In 1943 as part of the Civilian Public Service program, Menno began serving his country by rick-racking dams near Colorado Springs. In 1946 he worked on a ship that delivered work-horses to war-torn Poland. After returning to Buhler in 1947, he married Leona Kaufman and together they had two children, Ronnie Lee and Sharon Kay. On June 12, 1961 Menno lost Leona to Cancer. On August 20, 1966, Menno married Doris Celeste Nikkel and remained on the farm just east of Buhler. In 1993, Menno retired from farming, and he and Doris moved to the outskirts of Hutchinson. Menno’s career in farming included raising sheep, cattle, laying hens as well as raising alfalfa, wheat, irrigated corn and soybeans. His passion for conservation included planting shelter belt trees, specialty hardwood trees and Christmas trees. Menno supported his community by giving generously towards the founding and building of a Buhler/Inman community center, the Kansas Sampler Center. The Center was dedicated to his daughter, Sharon, who was seriously injured in an automobile accident in 1968. Menno devoted further resources and personal involvement in creating and maintaining nature trails for Dillon Nature Center. Menno and Doris teamed up with the Hutchinson-Reno County Cultural Commission to help create the Dave Loewenstein mural “Ad Astra” at the Avenue A Park in downtown Hutchinson. Menno and Doris also delivered food for Meals on Wheels and donated their pasture grasses each fall for the horses at Reins of Hope. Besides endeavors of community service, Menno, together with his wife Doris, enjoyed travel, camping, hiking, bicycling, and keeping current on world events. Menno made a study of the financial markets and investing strategies. He spent his later years landscaping his homestead in Hutchinson and creating a collection of wood-carvings. He also wrote an “Earth News” column for his church newsletter and a book of quotes, including many of his own. With his eye for natural beauty combined with his enjoyment of photography, he created some truly beautiful images. A lifelong learner, Menno, spent many hours of his retirement at the public library in Hutchinson, reading about a wide variety of topics. An open-minded free thinker, Menno also believed in letting his voice be heard. He often expressed his opinion on topics of importance to him by means of correspondence with public officials, news outlets, and political figures around the world. His life was one of adventure, working the land, and community service, richly lived. Viewing will be at Buhler Mortuary (120 N Main St) on Friday, December 14 from 4 to 6pm. Memorial service will be at Kansas Sampler Center (978 Arapaho Road, Inman) on Saturday, December 15 at 11:00am, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make donations to Kansas Sampler Foundation, Dillon Nature Center, or the Hutchinson Community Foundation.

Menno Schmidt

September 6, 1924 - December 8, 2018