Howard Joseph Schrag
Obituary
NEWTON — Howard Joseph Schrag, 94, peacefully passed away,
surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday (May 30, 2012). .
He was born on June 15, 1917, to Joe A. and Matilda
(Schmidt) Schrag. He went to a one-room school house for his elementary and
high school education near Freeman, S.D., where he learned English — only
German was spoken in the home prior to this. .
Howard was baptized upon confession of faith on Sept. 23,
1934, in Freeman, S.D. He worked on the farm to help his father and mother
support younger siblings, who went on to school. He also worked in a custom
harvest crew, where he met and married Leona Graber on Aug. 18, 1940, in Pretty
Prairie. .
He and Leona continued to farm near Pretty Prairie for more
than 20 years. Other jobs included receiving clerk and lumber yard/sales..
Howard and Leona had an adventurous life that included
voluntary service assignments in a suburb of Paris, where they worked with
older youth from France, Germany and Switzerland, who had severe mental
challenges. Other voluntary assignments included work at the Woodlands School
in British Columbia for children and youth who were blind and/or had other
disabilities. Their voluntary assignments also took Howard and Leona to
Glendale, Ariz., where they worked with older people in the Glencroft
Retirement Center. Throughout all of these assignments, Howard worked in building
and maintenance much of the time..
Howard and Leona attended the 1967 Mennonite World
Conference in Amsterdam and traveled to other European countries and the Holy
Land. A mission tour also took them to Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong..
Howard’s musical gifts were appreciated for many years when
he sang in the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Choir and the West Coast Mennonite Men’s
Choir. Church activities and worship have always been an important part of his
life, most recently worshiping at the Bethel College Mennonite Church..
Howard’s death is a great loss for his family and friends.
His family often accused him of never wanting to retire. At the age of 94, he
still was managing family properties with many responsibilities, including
billing, lawn maintenance and general fix-up. .
During the winter months, he enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, a
variety of sports on television, and the ducks and geese on the pond across the
street. He was part of a Mexican Train Domino group who play regularly. Up to
the age of 94, he was active and only took vitamins and a baby aspirin each
day!.
Howard is survived by his son, Howard; daughter-in-law,
Judy; grandson, Mike; Mike’s wife, Kelly; and two great-grandsons, Zachary, age
9, and Owen, age 6. .
Father, grandfather and great-grandfather’s memory will
continue to rest in our hearts with many good memories of fun times..
A celebration of Howard’s life will be from 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday (June 3, 2012) at Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main St. in Newton, for
family and friends. The family will be there from 1 to 3 p.m. A private family
inurnment has taken place. .
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday (June 5,
2012) at Bethel College Mennonite Church, 2600 College Ave. in North Newton. .
Memorial contributions are suggested to Mennonite meat
canning, in care of the funeral home. Visit www.petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com..
