Walter D. Schmidt was born to Daniel and Lena Koehn Schmidt June 21, 1931, near Ulysses.
He passed away January 24, at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kan., at the age of 94.
His father, Daniel, had been a widower with four children (Frank, Fred, Ruby, and Martha) when he married Walter's mother, Lena. When Walter was a year and a half, his father passed away. Six months later, Walter's mother married a widower, Henry B. Koehn from Camp 45, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Walter and his mother moved to Mexico and joined Henry and his nine children: Iva, Cecil, Clarence, Inez, Rebeca, Alvin, Herman, Leonard, and Daniel. His four half-siblings stayed in the States and were raised by the grandparents. Over the next 10 years, six more children joined the family: Ben, David, Anna, Fred, Clara, and Susie. When Walter was 13, he and his family moved to Saltillo, Mexico.
Walter was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, August 18, 1947, at the age of 16 by his stepfather, Minister Henry B. Koehn. He remained faithful to these vows to the end.
Walter, along with his family, left Saltillo in 1951, and moved to La Junta, Mexico, to a ranch called La Tena. Here he farmed and milked cows. He was married January 10, 1954, to Alda Koehn, by his stepfather, Minister Henry B. Koehn.
Walter and Alda decided to move to the States in 1956. They first settled in Livingston, Calif., where he was able to reconnect with his siblings from his father’s first marriage, and they became beloved members of his family.
Later, Walter and Alda moved to Inman, Kan., and then into the Lone Tree, Kan., area.
Walter worked for many years at the Co-op Elevator and Feed Mill in Moundridge, Kan.
He enjoyed visiting with all the farmers who came there. He was a person who loved people, and he, and his family, would visit the elderly and often sing for them before they left.
Walter's family moved to Buhl, Idaho, in 1976. Here, Walter realized his dream of having a farm/dairy for four years. In the fall of 1983, Walter and Alda moved to Ulysses, where he retired after working at the Co-op Feed Mill and serving as custodian at the Methodist Church.
They moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1994, where he especially loved the warm climate. When Alda’s health began to fail, they moved to Northridge Manor in Moundridge, Kan.. They made the Garden View congregation their church home. Walter loved visiting and encouraging the youth.
Alda passed away March 30, 2007, at Moundridge Manor in Moundridge, Kan. They shared 52 years together.
Walter was very lonely, and was married to Rosa Koehn March 9, 2008, by her son, Minister James Koehn. They made their home in Sun City, Ariz.
They moved into an apartment at Bethel Home in 2016. Mom Rosa suddenly passed away July 6, 2019. They shared 11 years together. Sometime later, Walter moved into Bethel Home, where he was lovingly cared for until God called him home.
Walter was a rock to his family. He was concerned for their spiritual well-being, always encouraging them throughout their lives, and often asked for prayers. His family is thankful for the legacy that he left them.
He is survived by his children: Norma and Carl Koehn, Rosanna Schmidt, Ulysses, Dennis and Tammy Schmidt, Galva, Kan.; Kennard Schmidt, Ulysses, Carolyn Schmidt of Virginia and David Friesen, Paris, Texas; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; Rosa’s family: James and Donna Koehn, Inez, Texas; John Koehn, Wittman, of Arizona; Darlene and Jim McGuire, Hesston, Kan.; Ronda and Glenn May, Stacyville, Iowa; Rachel and Steve Romero, Wittman, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Susie and Benjamin Parra, Albuquerque, NM.
He is preceded in death by his parents; both wives; a son-in-law, Phil Schmidt; one full-blood brother, Daniel, who died in infancy; five half-brothers; five half-sisters; another half-brother, George, who died in infancy; seven stepbrothers; and three stepsisters.
Visitation was from 2-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 28, at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 30, at the Garden View Mennonite Church near Halstead, Kan., with Ministers Larry Koehn, Linford Holderman and Stuart Jantzen officiating.
Interment will follow at the Garden View Mennonite Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Bethel Home in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.
Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
