Montezuma -Our mother, Lorene Schmidt Schmidt, was the sixth child born to William and Carrie Nightingale Schmidt on June 11, 1929, at Chickasha, Oklahoma. She peacefully fell asleep on April 24, 2018 at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas, reaching the age of almost 89 years.

Mother's growing up years was in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She had many fond memories of her childhood. She loved to go fishing, learning to catch fish with her bare hands. She remembered going to church in a new wagon. While living on the Indian Lease, the Indians would come to visit. Her mother died when she was eight years old, which made life difficult for the family. At an early age, she learned to take responsibility on the farm and also in the home. She worked with her father, picking cotton and gardening.

Mother had fond memories of when and where she gave her heart to God, and of her secret place of prayer. She was baptized by Min. Ed Unruh on February 14, 1943, and to these vows she was faithful. In Mother's early teen years, her dad remarried. She, together with her parents, moved to central Kansas in 1946.

May 16, 1948, Mother was married to our father, Willard Schmidt, at Burns, Kansas. To this union were born eight children. Mother was an energetic worker and often said "if a job's worth doing – do it well". Mother loved nature, was unselfish and was willing to give. She was a lover of song and often sang as she went about her work. She never wavered in her conviction in teaching us right from wrong. She loved the Lord and her faith was strong. Mother taught by her example to be kind to everyone, to give the best to others, and to say "I'm sorry" when we did wrong. We know she often prayed for us.

Mother experienced many lonely days after the passing of our father in 2005. Soon afterward, Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She took turns living with us children for several years. In 2012, she moved into Bethel Home where she was lovingly cared for. As her disease progressed, even though she was not able to express herself so well, she reached out to those around her in a special way. A loving bond was formed with her caregivers. We are thankful to God that he heard our prayer and called her home.

Those who remain to cherish many memories are her children: Connie and husband Eldon Koehn, Leland, Mississippi; Annette and husband Jim Redger, Dumas, Arkansas; SharonKoehn, DeRidder, Louisiana; Cynthia and husband Michael Koehn, Montezuma, Kansas; Betty and husband Carl Toews, Grifton, North Carolina; Larry and wife Rose,  DeRidder, Louisiana; Joyce and husband Lester Schmidt, Buhl, Idaho; Deann and husband Brian Schmidt, DeRidder, Louisiana; thirty-three grandchildren and seventy great-grandchildren; one brother: Marvin and wife Sylvia Schmidt, Texline, Texas; four sisters: Luella Schmidt, Moundridge, Kansas; Rosena and husband Gilmer Koehn, Fairview, Oklahoma; Carol, Mrs. JesseSwarey, Bellville, Pennsylvania; LaWanda and husband Amos Swarey, Eldorado, Kansas; one sister-in-law: Susie, Mrs. Louie Schmidt, Moundridge, Kansas; and one brother-in-law: Henry and wife Gladys Koehn, Okolona, Mississippi. Those preceding her in death are her parents, her husband, four brothers, two sisters, two sons-in-law, and two great –grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at the Highland Mennonite Church in DeRidder, Louisiana on Sunday April 29, 2018 at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at Highland Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Bethel Home in Montezuma on Wednesday April 25, 2018 from 4:00 – 5:00 PM.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.