Ruth Marilyn Schmidt

Ruth Marilyn Schmidt was born on August 16, 1926 in Moundridge, Kansas to Philip and Rose Wedel. At the age of 10, her family relocated to Aberdeen, Idaho where her father, Philip Wedel, became the pastor of the Aberdeen Mennonite Church for 8 years. She often reminisced fondly about the years spent in Idaho. Ruth graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1944. After graduation, Ruth attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas for one year, receiving her degree to teach. She then taught 1st through 8th grade at the Heimbaugh School near Goessel, Kansas the following year. Ruth was married to Orlando Earl Schmidt on September 11, 1946. She and Orlando celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1996 and shared 53 wonderful years. Orlando and Ruth established their home and farm northeast of Moundridge where they lived until his passing in 1999. After this, Ruth moved to town in Moundridge until 2016, when she relocated to Oxford Grand Assisted Living in northwest Wichita until her passing. Orlando and Ruth had four children: Dwayne, Elaine, Carol, and James. Ruth was a supportive and loving wife and mother who gave up a teaching career to be home for her family. She loved to attend the school musical programs in which all her children participated as well as watch her sons play football and basketball. She sewed many of the girls’ clothes and spent a great deal of time gardening, cooking and baking for the family. She was active in the West Zion Christian Homemakers and loved to play the piano and read. Ruth’s faith was greatly tested over her 94 years through the cancer of her father, Philip Wedel, husband Orlando and son James, as well as her own cancer from 1996 to 1998. Yet through all of these difficult times, she stayed faithful to her Lord and Savior. Her motto became, “one day at a time”, as she struggled with her health issues, a decline in hearing and walking, and being isolated from family and friends through the COVID-19 health crisis. She tried her best to be self-reliant, keeping her mind sharp by doing word searches and reading. Her children often remarked how she knew her expenses down to the penny when she was managing her own finances. She never gave up trying to continue to walk even though one knee was failing her. She was finally free of her pain when she passed into eternal life on July 11, 2021 at the age of 94, a month short of her 95th birthday. Preceding Ruth in death were her parents, Philip and Rose Wedel, her older sister Ellen Friesen and brother-in-law, Wilmer Friesen and her youngest son, Jim Schmidt. Surviving her are her son Dwayne Schmidt (DeAnne) of Wichita, Kansas, daughter Elaine Hofman (Don) of Lincoln, Nebraska, daughter Carol Ward (Marty) of Moundridge, daughter-in-law Kari Schmidt of Nashville, her grandchildren, Ashley Janzen (Jesse), Kyle Schmidt, Krista Wiebe (Josh), Christine Widman (Andy), Lindsey Hanson (Brent), Jared Ward(Christy), Ryan Ward (Shelby), Lauren Schmidt, Michael Schmidt and Taylor Schmidt and great grandchildren, Jordy, Jace, Lainey, Paisley, Reese, Evan, Evelyn, Micah, Eliya, Bronx, Hudson, one brother, Lee Wedel (Alda) of Hesston, one sister, Lois Regehr (Dean) of rural Inman, sister-in-law, Laura Friesen of North Newton, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leroy and Marcella Woelk of Goessel. Her family and friends will greatly miss her beautiful smile and sweet and kind nature. The family would like to express its deep appreciation for the good care and kindness of the staff at Oxford Grand, her doctor, Dr. Kathryn Hayes and nurses Lori Eichelberger and Michelle Esau at Partners in Family Care, who have always been there for her as she was challenged medically throughout her life as well as Pastor Brad Roth and wife Lici who have been so prayerful, thoughtful and supportive throughout her life. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, July 16, 2021 at West Zion Cemetery, Moundridge, with a memorial service to follow at 2:30 p.m., at West Zion Mennonite Church. The graveside and memorial service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/westzion. Following the service, everyone is welcome to join for fellowship and light refreshments. Family will greet friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 15 at Moundridge Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be given in Ruth’s name to the Mennonite Central Committee, West Zion Mennonite Church, or the Jim and Kari Schmidt Scholarship (in care of Moundridge Recreation Commission).

Ruth Marilyn Schmidt

August 16, 1926 - July 11, 2021