Mary was born on January 14, 1931 in Wadena Saskatchewan, the eleventh child of Herman and Helena Klassen. In 1942 the family decided to move to British Columbia. Mary and her older sister Helen caught a train for the journey while the rest of the family followed by car. The family purchased a farm on Ross Road and it was while living here that Mary met her beloved husband, David Schmidt. On October 31,1954 Mary and Dave were married in the Ross Road Community church where mom was still a member. Together they moved to a dairy farm on Mt. Lehman Road, which they eventually purchased from Dave’s father. It was here where they raised their three girls. Mary loved her home, despite becoming a farmer’s wife (which she said she’d never do) and enjoyed gardening, baking and entertaining family and friends. Eventually the grandchildren arrived and mom and dad spent many hours on the farm entertaining their grandchildren and being entertained by them.
When the farm became too much for dad, they built a house on land annexed from the farm. Mom loved her new house and enjoyed living here while continuing to do the things she loved, especially the view of the ravine where little birds would come and drink from her bird feeder.
After dad suffered with a few strokes it was time to move. In April 2018 dad passed away and mom eventually found her home at The Mayfair in Abbotsford. Living through the isolation of Covid really hastened moms dementia but through it all she kept her sense of humour and her love of music,
We will miss you mom and know you were greatly loved.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Dave and her siblings John, Herman, Corny, Helen, Katie, Susie and her much loved younger brother Pete. 4 siblings died in Russia.
She is survived by her daughters Charleen Siemens (Vern), Jane Schmidt (Wally Ens) and Patricia Braun (Henry). 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
A visitation for Mary will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T2X5.
A graveside service will occur Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery, 33976 Maclure Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S7W3.
A memorial service will occur Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T2X5.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary's memory may be made to Abbotsford Food Bank, https://www.abbotsfordfoodbank.com/donate/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com for the Schmidt family.
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