It is with great sadness and love that we say goodbye to my husband, our Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandfather, Harry Schmidt, who passed away on Wednesday, January 22 at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas.

Dad was born to Andrew and Eva Schmidt on May 31, 1935 at Morton, Texas. Dad accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on November 2, 1948, in the home of Aaron Koehn by Minister Reuben Koehn.

Life was not easy for the Andrew Schmidt family, and they were all taught at a young age that hard work was necessary. Dad attended school in Longville, Louisiana, until the age of sixteen. Often school was missed due to this hard work on the family farm. This work ethic that was learned at a young age followed Dad throughout his life, always keeping himself busy as well as helping others. Dad spent two years in New Orleans completing his 1-W Service.

Dad met the love of his life, Laura Jane Schmidt, underneath the yard light on her parent's yard. Dad and Mom were married on September 30, 1956 in Fairview, Oklahoma, by Minister George Nichols. This was the beginning of sixty-eight happy years.

They lived in DeRidder, Louisiana, for two years until Mom's Dad, Emil, invited them to come farm in Okeene, Oklahoma. Together they raised three children, Calvin, Cammie and Kent. Dad was ordained into the deaconry with Mom by his side in 1968. He served on different boards including the Incorporation Board and the USA Mission Board, which included taking our church tent out to various locations for evangelistic tent meetings.

Dad and Mom moved to Guymon, Oklahoma, in 1994. Dad was instrumental in the beginning of the Texhoma Congregation. A year later, our parents moved to their farm northeast of Texhoma.  Dad loved his grain farming and cattle. He took time to listen to the many people around him, and we all enjoyed his interesting stories! Coffee and his many friends at Leanne's and Texhoma Livestock Cafe, was a favorite pastime.

Dad is survived by his wife Laura Jane, his children: Calvin of Texhoma, Camilla and Patrick Wohlgemuth of Landmark, Manitoba, Kent and Angela of Agassiz, British Columbia and daughter in law Julie Schmidt of Clinton, Louisiana, nine grandchildren: Zane Schmidt, Tate Schmidt, Chantillae and Ricky Isaac, Magdalena and Gario Belleus, Savario and Alicia Wohlgemuth, Akash and Daria Wohlgemuth, Tara and Tynan Wedel, Travis and Melissa Schmidt, Ty and Michelle Schmidt, and seven great grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings: Frank Schmidt, Louie and Marjorie Schmidt, Nina Schmidt, and Jonathon and Lillian Schmidt. Extended family includes: Myrtle Koehn and Becky and Ray Frank. He was predeceased by his parents and parents in law, his brothers: Clifford and James, his sisters: Irene, Opal, and Ruby, five brothers in law, and five sisters in law.

We as a family wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Bethel Home for their excellent care.

Funeral service will be held at Texhoma Mennonite Church, rural Gruver, Texas, on Wednesday,  January 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.  Viewing will be prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M. There will also be a viewing at Bethel Home in Montezuma on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home or Texhoma Mennonite Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com .  The following link will allow friends and family to listen to the service: https://listentochurch.com/listen/texhoma#