Edna LaWanda (Schmidt) Enz, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Bethesda Home in Goessel.
She was born on Aug. 6, 1923, in Goessel to Peter B. and Susie Schmidt. Enda graduated from Goessel High School in 1942 and married the love of her life, Arthur H. Enz on Dec. 7, 1944. He preceded her in death on Dec. 30, 1999.
She was baptized and was a member of Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in rural Goessel, where she also was married.
For many years, she was the receptionist for the Safety Deposit Boxes at the Kansas State Bank. Her many interests included baking, gardening, quilting, embroidering, reading, watching golf, basketball (go KU!) and baseball (go Royals!) on television. During their younger years, she enjoyed camping with their friends.
She and Art were members of the First Mennonite Church, Newton for more than 70 years. She served the church in many capacities; along with art, Senior High Youth sponsor, children’s Sunday school teacher, children’s Sunday school superintendent (assistant), Board of Education, sang in the church choir, member of a church trio and Mission Study Circle. As part of the choir for many years, her greatest pleasure was singing Handel’s “Messiah.”
Her biggest blessing in life was her family, which included six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She loved each one dearly, but because of time and distance, she didn’t get to see them as often as she would have liked.
Also preceding her in death where her parents, Peter B. and Susie Schmidt; three brothers, Harold Schmidt, Elmer Schmidt (at birth) and Peter B. Schmidt Jr.; and one sister, Emma (Schmidt) Regier.
Survivors include: children Michael Warren and wife Kathryn (Beutler) Enz, James Galen and wife Mary (Stucky) Enz, and Kevin Eugene Enz and Jo Miklos, all of Newton; brothers Milford L. and wife Marilyn (Flaming) Schmidt of rural Canton, and John H. and wife Deloris (Hildebrand) Schmidt of Newton; sister-in-law Hilda E (Schmidt) Schmidt of Hillsboro; six grandchildren, Brandon and wife Brooke (Heckman) Enz of Gardner, Cameron and wife Ashley (Wright) Enz of Olathe, Nicholas Enz and wife Lisa (Thimm) of Davenport, Iowa, Crystal (Enz) and husband Joel Gaeddert, and Jodi (Enz) and husband Brian Runge, all of Newton, and Jacob Enz of Andover; and eight great-grandchildren.
Family graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. Thursday at First Mennonite Church, Newton.
Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m.
A memorial has been established with the First Mennonite Church organ fund and to Bethesda Home. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
