Viola Schmidt died peacefully in her sleep after a short illness at the age of 95. Viola had a long life worth celebrating. She was born on her parents’ Peter and Justina Bergman’s farm near Borden, Sask., the second of 4 girls. She recounted stories of life before electricity, going to school by sleigh, playing with her sisters, and an eventual move to the town of Hepburn where she met Alfred Schmidt. Shortly after their marriage in 1950, Vi and Alf survived a frightening car accident and devoted their lives to Christian service. They moved to Fresno, Cal., for seminary study, to Quebec and Belgium for French studies, and finally to the Congo in 1959 to be teachers with Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services. Despite having to flee dangerous rebellions in the first years, Alf and Vi persevered with their work in the Congo. Vi had 4 children and taught women’s classes in subjects ranging from literacy to home economics, spending nearly 20 years in the Congo. Along the way she came to speak 5 languages. Vi and Alf returned in the mid-1980s to to Regina, where Vi worked for SaskPower. In retirement, she moved to Abbotsford and then Tsawwassen, B.C., to be near her children. Vi was a dedicated member at Cedar Park Church in Ladner. She loved music and sang in the Delta Community Choir. She volunteered at the local thrift store as well as Tsawwassen flu shot and baby clinics. In her retirement, she also wrote a biography of her younger sister Alvina, a nurse who died as a young mother from breast cancer. In her final years, Vi loved her friendships at St. David’s Seniors House. To her friends and family, she was always positive and encouraging. Vi was predeceased by her husband Alfred and 3 sisters Esther, Helen, and Alvina.
43
