Erna Schmidt

Erna R. Duerksen Schmidt TOPEKA - Erna R. Duerksen Schmidt, 83, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013. Erna was preceded in death by her husband, Orlando (Orie), of 61 years. Survivors include their six children, Beverly (Nelson) Schmidt of La Mirada, CA, Yvonne (Galen) Unruh of Topeka, Barbara (Nelson) Banman of Topeka, Chuck (Kathy) Schmidt of McPherson, Emily (Keith) Blackburn of Topeka and John (Debbie) Schmidt of Montgomery, AL, 15 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, 2 brothers - Harold Duerksen of Tucson, AZ and Roland Duerksen of Oxford, OH and 1 sister - Elda Roupp of Hesston. In addition to being a farmer's wife, Erna was a teacher, medication aide and a school bus driver. A Memorial service for Topeka friends and family will be held Tuesday, April 16, 10 a.m. at Southern Hills Mennonite Church, Topeka. A visitation at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Goessel, has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by burial at 1 p.m. at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church Cemetery, Goessel. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church with a fellowship lunch at 3:30 p.m. at the Goessel Mennonite Church. Contributions may be sent to either Southern Hills Mennonite Church or Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, 303 E. Main, Goessel, KS 67053. Erna R. Schmidt