Esther E Schmidt

Sister Esther E. Schmidt

Sister Esther E. Schmidt, 83, Deaconess for Bethel Deaconess Hospital and Bethel Home for the Aged in Newton, died Friday (June 19, 1998) at Friendly Acres Retirement Community in Newton.

She was born Jan. 15, 1915, in Goessel to Wilhelm and Susie (Schmidt) Schmidt. They preceded her in death.

She was a member of First Mennonite Church and had lived in Newton since 1949. She was the last surviving Bethel Deaconess of the 49 deaconesses. Her death signals the end of the deaconess era, which began with the ordination of the first three deaconesses and the opening of Bethel Deaconess Hospital on June 11, 1908.

In August 1949, she wrote to Bethel Deaconess Hospital inquiring about job openings, where she took a position in the dietary department. A year later, she transferred to laundry and later was assigned also to mending and altering student uniforms.

She was invited to join the Sisterhood, and after a time of discernment, accepted the invitation. She was invested as a Deaconess on June 11, 1953. In 1957, she transferred her church membership to the First Mennonite Church in Newton and remained an active member until her death.

In connection with the 50th anniversary of the hospital, she was ordained as a Deaconess with Sister Dorothy Albrecht. Her ordination scripture was Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

She served in the laundry for 15 years and spent 10 years in housekeeping. She retired in 1979 but continued to work on a draperies project until completed in 1983.

After retirement, she volunteered in caring for plants in the hospital and Bethel Home for the Aged and plantings in various places around the hospital, including the flower bed at the front entrance.

She also was an artist, and received an award in 1994 for one of her paintings. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting, quilting and embroidering. She was known for developing friends wherever she went.

In her retirement, she lived in the Deaconess Home, the Bethel Apartments, Kidron Bethel Healthcare Center and finally at Friendly Acres.

Survivors include one brother, Eldon Schmidt of Hesston, and one sister, Rubie Epp of Hutchinson.

She also was preceded in death by one brother, George Schmidt, and one sister, Susie Hershberger.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Mennonite Church with Pastor David Keim of the church and Chaplain Louise MacClanahan from Newton Medical Center officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Petersen Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to the General Conference Commission on Overseas Mission in care of the funeral home.