Irene Fern Schmidt

Irene Fern Schmidt

Irene Fern Schmidt, 92, Newton, passed away Monday, (Oct. 13, 2008) at Asbury Park.

Irene was born March 9, 1916, in rural Goessel, the daughter of Bernhard W. and Helena (Schmidt) Schmidt.

She was the oldest of three daughters.

She cared for her parents in their home in Goessel and later in Newton by helping with household duties.

Whenever new nieces or nephews were born; however, Irene gladly took on all the responsibilities of her sisters' households.

Irene always had a story or joke to tell, many of which she made up herself.

She had an incomparable zest for life. She enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds, sewing and making crepe paper flowers. She loved to sing hymns, to play the autoharp, guitar and organ. Irene's faith in God permeated everything she did. She studied her Bible diligently and shared her findings with everyone she met.

Irene was a member of the Tabor Mennonite Church and was baptized on May 20, 1934.

Irene is survived by a sister Hilda Schmidt of North Newton, and a brother-in-law Gerhard Nickel and wife Viola of Newton. Irene's family consisted of the families of her sisters Norma and Hilda.

Gerhard and Norma Nickel's children include Irene's nephew James Nickel and his wife Donna of Columbus, Neb.; niece Joetta Moyer and her husband Duane of Souderton, Pa.; and niece Nancy Roupp and her husband James of Newton. Great nieces and nephews are Daniel, Janna and Elizabeth Nickel; and Justin, Caleb and Amanda Moyer.

Hilda and Peter Schmidt's family include Irene's niece Jolene Klassen and her husband Lynell of Omaha, Neb.; nephew Darrel Schmidt and his wife Carmen of Newton; nephew-in-law Willard Funk and his wife Mary of McPherson; nephew Dwight Schmidt of Hillsboro; niece LaVonne Marks of Lawrence; and niece Julia Kaiser and her husband Eldon of Lehigh. Great nieces and nephews are Preston and Kjersten Klassen, Bonnie and Todd Jones, Bryan and Tracie Klassen, Leah and Greg Schardt, Erin and Brian Stucky, Mark Schmidt, Marshal Funk, Scott Marks, Elizabeth Marks, Ryan Kaiser and Neal Kaiser; great-great nieces and nephews are Karianna and Katrina Klassen, Rylee and Tayte Klassen and Analeah Jones.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her brother-in-law Peter Schmidt Jr., sister Norma E. Nickel, and a niece Janet Funk.

Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Tabor Mennonite Church. Irene will lie in state at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Tabor Mennonite Church with Pastor Corey Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Tabor Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tabor Mennonite Church and left in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114. Condolences may be left online at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.