Arlyn Schmidt

Arlyn Mininger Schmidt was born to Herman and Clara Litwiller Mininger on November 10, 1931 in Gratiot County, Michigan.  Her passing in the early Sunday morning hours of July 29, 2018 marked the end of eighty-six years of life.

Her first five years were spent at Ithaca, Michigan.  She then moved with her family to Harrison, Michigan, where she received her education.  She spent many happy years helping on the farm and in the home.

At the age of 13 she gave her heart to her Savior and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister Frank Haynes.  This faith was precious to her, and she endeavored to be faithful to the Lord and the Church throughout her life.

On January 31, 1954 she was married to Glade Schmidt of Goltry, Oklahoma who expressed many times how God gave him a “jewel”.   Their marriage of 64 years was blessed with four daughters and two sons.

We all knew Mother as one who “would rise up early while it was yet night” to have her devotions.  We often felt comforted and blessed just knowing she was praying for us.  Mom was one who “stretched out her hand to the poor and reached forth her hands to the needy” in a quiet, humble way which caused her to be loved and appreciated by both friends and strangers.  She and dad welcomed many people into their home from all walks of life, not only for meals, but also to live with them for short periods of time. Even in her last months, when her mind was afflicted with dementia, the nurses and doctors still recognized her as a “woman that feared the Lord and (they) praised her.”

Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all remember her singing, “Twilight is stealing over the sea, Shadows are falling dark on the lee. . .”  She instilled in all of us a love for poetry, and we never grew tired of sitting by her side while she read countless stories to us.

Left behind, but longing to join her, is her husband, Glade; also two sons, Randy and Grace Schmidt and Troy and Valerie Schmidt, both of Goltry, Oklahoma; two daughters,  Susan and Eugene Schultz of Neodesha, Kansas and Judy and Sylvanus Peachey of Belleville, Pennsylvania;  eight grandchildren,  Nicole and Jason Schneider and their two children, Jackson and Andrea, Jennifer and Kurt Holdeman, Jill and Alex Smith, Amber Peachey, Lori Peachey, Shane and Kate Schmidt, Janae Schmidt, Joel Schmidt;  siblings, Ellen and Carl Kuepfer of Goltry, Oklahoma, Richard and Twila Mininger of Hiawatha, Kansas,  Carol and Albert Koehn and Newel and Jane Mininger both of Barren, Wisconsin and sister-in-law, Verla Johnson of Goltry, Oklahoma.

Their first-born daughter, Starla, preceded her in death two years ago; also infant daughter, Ruth; one sister, Donnalee Toews Schmidt; her parents; two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law.

Funeral service for Arlyn will be Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Goltry.  Burial will follow at Karoma Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.  Viewing will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  at the funeral home.  Viewing and memory service will be at 7:00 p.m. at the church.  www.lanmanmemorials.com