Montezuma-Ruth Toews Schmidt was born on January 28, 1925 to Henry and Anna Wiens Toews at Montezuma. She peacefully departed this life on June 6, 2016 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, reaching the age of 91 years.

Mom grew up on a farm together with her 10 siblings, during the Dust Bowl years. Although they didn't have much in this worldly goods, they were rich in family love. Mom loved to tell stories of those happy childhood years. Mom gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized on December 19, 1938 by Min. Frank Haynes.

On May 20, 1945, she was united in marriage to Ben Schmidt. Soon after, they left for Colorado Springs, where Dad was in CPS Camp during the War. After two years of service, Dad worked at elevator construction work, which took them to different states in the Midwest. They eventually settled down on a farm in Osceola, South Dakota, where they raised their three daughters and one son. Folks were one of the first ones to move there, starting the new little congregation. Many were they hardships of those early pioneer days, but lasting friendships and memories were made. In 1967, the farm was sold, and a move was made to Fairview, Oklahoma where Dad worked at different jobs and Mom was a nurse and later a caregiver. Dad had a custom combining business, and Mom followed the wheat harvest with him from Oklahoma to Montana. Mom was a hard worker, a good mother, and a friend to many. She loved to cook and we enjoyed her delicious meals. She loved to sing and we, her daughters, have memories of singing with her. She was very special to us as a family and will be missed immensely. It is hard to imagine life without her.

After Dad passed away in 1997, Mom moved to South Dakota to be with her daughter and family. Then in 2007, she made Bethel Home her last earthly home. We as a family are so thankful for the love and care she received there. We have this assurance she is now resting in peace in her eternal home.

Those left to cherish precious memories are her daughters, Elaine Davis, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Pearl and Frank Nichols, Osceola, South Dakota; Mary Jane, Tulsa, Oklahoma; one son, Earl and Michelle Schmidt, Stanwood, Washington; three grandchildren, Monroe Nichols, Mindi Adkins, and Alexa Schmidt; six great grandchildren, Brad, Jacob, and Jeralyn Nichols, Amy, Sara, and Laura Adkins; four sisters, Elizabeth Toews, Montezuma; Esther Penner, Steinback, Manitoba; Nettie and husband Victor Goossen, Rosenort, Manitoba; and Frances Penner, Elma, Manitoba; two brothers, David Toews, Montezuma and Walter Toews, Madrid, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Mable Trammell and Lorena McClain; two brothers-in-law, LeRoy Schmidt and Lincoln Schmidt, and many nephews and nieces. Preceding her in death were her husband, four sisters, and five brother-in-laws.

Funeral service will be at Fairview Mennonite Church in Fairview, Oklahoma on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. with Ministers Lyndon Toews presiding. Burial will follow at Cedar Cemetery in Fairview, Oklahoma. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.