Montezuma - Rosa Mae Schmidt Koehn Schmidt was born May 17, 1932, to Emil and Minnie Nightingale Schmidt near Fairview, Oklahoma. She was called to the arms of Jesus suddenly and unexpectedly, on July 6, 2019, at her home in Bethel Home apartments, Montezuma, Kansas. She reached the age of 87 years.

Our Mother spent her childhood in Fairview, Oklahoma. At the age of 15 months, her birth mother passed away, and a short time later she and her siblings received a new mother, when Grandpa married Martha Boehs. She spent a happy childhood, receiving her education at Homestead, Oklahoma. At the age of eleven, she felt the call of God and gave her heart and life to the Lord. She was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, on March 1, 1944, by Min. Dan Smith. To these vows, she remained faithful all of her life.

In her youth, she went to Newton, Kansas, to work in the kitchen at Bethel Hospital. There she met our Dad, Lester R. Koehn. They were married in Fairview on May 23, 1954, by Min. Wilmer Boehs. They spent their first year together in Larned, in the Voluntary Service Unit, and later made their home in the Burns, Kansas, area. Four children were born to them.

Dad was called to the Ministry, and together they faithfully lived a life of service, at home and wherever God led them. They spent five years in Mexico in the LaBoca and Huetamo fields. Mom graciously supported Dad, and spent her life serving others wherever she could. She was very hospitable and their home was often a haven for the ones needing a mother's touch. While in Mexico, they joyfully added another son to their home by adoption, and this made their family complete.

In 1975, they relocated to the new congregation in Dalhart, Texas, and four years later, once more to El Mirage, Arizona. This became home to them and together they served the congregation with a genuine love that was often felt and expressed. Dad was taken to his Heavenly Home in 1993, leaving Mom to spend many lonely years. On March 9, 2008, she was united in marriage to Walter Schmidt and they shared eleven years together. In 2016, they moved to Montezuma, Kansas. Once again, Mom adapted to a new life, and her courage and acceptance was an inspiration to us all.

Although her passing was sudden, she left us with the feeling that she knew her time here would not be long. We are so blessed to know with complete assurance that she'll be waiting to meet us on the other side.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Walter, of Montezuma, Kansas, two sons, James and Donna, Inez, Texas; John, Youngtown, Arizona; three daughters, Darlene and Jim McGuire, Hesston, Kansas; Ronda and Glen May, Staceyville, Iowa; and Rachel and Steve Romero, Wittmann, Arizona; fifteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and Walter's family, Carl and Norma Koehn, Rosanna Schmidt, Kennard Schmidt, all of Ulysses, Kansas; Dennis and Tammy Schmidt, Galva, Kansas; Phil and Carolyn Schmidt, Powderly, Texas; David and Virginia Friesen, Brookston, Texas; fourteen step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, and 2 foster step-great grandchildren; three sisters, Myrtle Koehn, Hardinsburg, Indiana; Laura Jane and Harry Schmidt, Texhoma, Oklahoma; Becky and Ray Frank, Madrid, Nebraska; one sister-in-law Marlene Koehn, Montezuma, Kansas; and one brother-in-law, Clinton Schmidt, Madrid, Nebraska. Those preceding her in death are her parents, her first husband, one grandson, one brother (and two in infancy), one sister, two brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

Funeral service will be held at Sun Valley Mennonite Church, El Mirage, Arizona on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 10:00AM. Burial will be at 1:30 PM at Resthaven Cemetery in Glendale, Arizona. Visitation will be at Bethel Home in Montezuma on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma is assisting the family with arrangements. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com