Robert Lee Schmidt

Robert Lee Schmidt was born on August 25, 1945 at Montezuma, Kansas to Jesse and Frances (Yost) Schmidt. He passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in the early morning hours of October 8, 2022, at Pine Village Home, Moundridge, Kansas, reaching the age of 77 years. Robert was baptized into the church of God in Christ, Mennonite on December 22, 1957 by Min. Ervy Unruh. He was married to me, Ardith Unruh, on June 6, 1971 at Hesston, Ks, sharing life’s joys and sorrows for 51 years. Four children were born into our home. He loved his children and later enjoyed his grandchildren, especially when they were tiny. He willingly served in church offices as Sunday School superintendent, teacher, and youth leader. We served many years on the food committee. Family devotions were important to him, and he was very concerned for his own spiritual welfare and that of his family. He attended Montezuma Grade school. His family was poor, and he made some of his own toys, which fostered his lifelong ability to fix almost anything, whether a run-over wagon, fabricate a tool he needed, or an implement for the garden tractor he built, and much, much more. It gave him great satisfaction and we called him a fix-it man. Robert and his twin sister Ruth had a deep bond and he and his brothers enjoyed many animated conversations and infectious laughter causing the rest of us to join in. We lived at Montezuma Kansas for 7 1/2 years after we were married. In 1978, land forming work in western Kansas became scarce due to water shortage, so we went to Clarksdale, MS for 4 months to work with his brother Elwin. We ended up staying in the Delta for 43 years, raising our family and making a lifetime of memories. He was an agriculture land former his whole life. He was a hard worker, was meticulous, and loved his work. Dad often commented how much he enjoyed working with his two sons. We children remember Sunday afternoon bike rides, catching balls Dad batted, and family trips. He loved fishing and took us on many fishing trips. In the last several years it became apparent that Dad’s health and mind were failing. When Mom could no longer care for him, they moved back to Kansas in October 2021. We appreciate the loving care he was given by the nurses at Pine Village. It brought broad smiles to their faces when he would respond with a smile or chuckle. He had a calm, pleasant and accepting spirit during his time at Pine Village. He will be greatly missed by many. Mourning his passing are his wife, Ardith, Moundridge, KS; four children and eleven grandchildren, Marilee and Brent Gable, Brooke and Jeremy; Richard and Heather Schmidt, Jake and Willa, all of Clarksdale, MS; Janette and Brandon Schmidt, Elizabeth, James , Ethan, and Caroline, presently serving in Bird-in-Hand PA; Larry and Eileen Schmidt, Kasey, Sienna, and Kaylee, Alligator, MS; brothers, Elwin and Priscilla Schmidt, Hesston, KS; Laurel and Carolyn Schmidt, Barnett, MO; Kenneth and Anita Schmidt, David and Virginia Schmidt; twin sister, Ruth and Walter Toews, all of Montezuma, KS; brothers in law, Rodney Koehn, Montezuma KS; and Dave and Phyllis Yost, Moundridge, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse C. and Frances (Yost) Schmidt and two sisters, Arlene Koehn and Carolyn Yost. Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, October 14, 2022 at the Garden View Mennonite Church in Halstead, KS. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm, with burial in the Garden View Mennonite Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pine Village in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.

Robert Lee Schmidt

August 25, 1945 - October 8, 2022