December 25, 2024

Harry Schmidt was born as the ninth child to Ben and Susie (Unruh) Schmidt on September 5, 1919 in Las Animas, Colorado. Early Tuesday morning, December 1, 2015, the Lord requested him home. He reached the age of 96 years. 

Harry grew up in Montezuma on a farm. He attended school in Montezuma. On December 29, 1938, Harry was baptized by Minister Frank Haynes and was a faithful member of the Church of God in Christ Mennonite until his death. 

On March 31, 1946, he was married to Stella Yost in Montezuma. After getting married, they lived in several different places, always staying in the Copeland and Montezuma communities. In December of 1951, God blessed them with one daughter, Brenda. Harry and Stella settled with their daughter at the family farm where he had grown up. When Harry retired in 1990, he leased his farm out and moved to town. There they lived for 22 years. Then the time came for them to move to the Bethel Home Apartments. Those were the days where he enjoyed coffee breaks and visiting with his friends. Harry and Stella shared 69 wonderful years together. 

Daddy was always full of life and enjoyed the outdoors. He had a loving heart and a generous spirit. He was always willing to help. I will never forget the Christian example he set for me. 

As a grandfather, he was the BEST. He always took the time to love each one of us. His interest in our lives never changed no matter what. Grandpa was a Godly man and will be greatly missed. 

Those left with loving memories are his wife Stella of Montezuma; one daughter, Brenda Giesbrecht and husband Merle of Hartley, Texas; five grandchildren, Teresa and Barry Friesen of Ballico, California, Randy and Marcie Giesbrecht of Rayville, Lousianna, Mark and Brittni Giesbrecht of Rayville, Lousianna, Bonnie and Bob Stull of Dalhart, Texas and Deanne and Chad Schoonover of Dalhart, Texas; 20 great grandchildren; one sister, Elizabeth Koehn of Montezuma; two brothers, John and Ben Schmidt both of Montezuma; and one brother-in-law, Paul and Verbena Yost of Montezuma. Preceding him in death were his parents, three brothers, and six sisters. 

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Donald Koehn, Charles Schmidt, and Edwin Classen presiding. Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home Health Care in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.