Josephine Jane Schmidt

Josephine Jane (Goering) Schmidt died on January 28, 2026 at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, Kansas.

She entered the world on January 19, 1933, in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, the daughter of Peter and Frieda Goering. Two little boys, Theodore James and Homer Dale, soon followed, completing their young family. But joy turned to sorrow when Frieda’s health failed and she passed away on December 23, 1936. With the family shaken, baby Homer Dale was cared for by Frieda’s parents, Joseph D.C. and Matilda Goering, in Elyria, Kansas. Peter returned to Pretty Prairie with his two toddlers, Josephine, age three, and Jim, age one, to be near his own parents and extended family.

Life took a hopeful turn in September, 1938 when Peter married Edna Stucky of Moundridge, Kansas. Little Homer Dale was reunited with his father and siblings, and before long, the family grew again, first with the arrival of a sister, Helen Louise, and then a brother, Vernon Dean. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the household was bustling with five children, all seven years old or younger.

Josephine began her education in a one-room country school where there were never more than 7 students. She graduated from Pretty Prairie High School High in 1950 and then attended Bethel College. This is where she met her future partner in life, Richard Lee Schmidt from Hutchinson, Kansas. At Bethel College she earned an Elementary Teacher Certification and taught school in Concordia, Kansas and then in Pretty Prairie, Kansas.

In 1953, she married Richard Schmidt at First Mennonite Church in Pretty Prairie. Their life together began in Lawrence, Kansas, where Richard was studying at the University of Kansas. It was there that their first child, Steven Leigh, was born. After Richard earned his business degree from KU, he accepted a position with Conoco Oil, taking the young family to Joplin, Missouri, where their second son, Richard Alan, arrived.

Work next led them to Topeka, Kansas, and in 1960 they welcomed their daughter, Karen. Around this time, Richard chose to step into entrepreneurship, purchasing a Western Auto Store in Clay Center, Kansas. Josephine became a full partner in the venture, working side by side with Richard, helping to build their business and their life together. They were active in the First (American) Baptist Church during their community life in Clay Center.

Just three years after opening the store, son Richard Alan became ill with cancer, and after a two-month illness he died on January 2,1972 at K.U. Medical Center. The family’s obligation at their Western Auto Store was continuous and despite the hardships and grief, the family continued there. In 1975, a new blessing came when Sarah Elizabeth was born.

After 27 years in business, Richard and Josephine retired and moved to North Newton, Kansas where both became active members of Faith Mennonite Church, volunteered at the Newton Et Cetera Shop, attended events at Bethel College, cared for a garden and grandchildren, and frequently socialized with Josephine’s siblings, who also lived in North Newton (Helen and Frank Nachtigal, Jim and Shirley Goering, Vern and Jane Goering, Homer and Mary Goering.) It was always a delight when her nieces and nephews visited while in town.

Later years were spent living at Kidron Bethel, enjoying community life with nearby family and friends they had known since childhood. Richard died on April 9, 2019.

Josephine is survived by her son, Steven Schmidt, and his wife, Sue, of Darby, Montana; her daughter, Karen Thompson, and her husband, Gary, of Lindsborg, Kansas; and her daughter, Sarah Fleming, and her husband, Sid, of Paola, Kansas.

Her grandchildren are Leslie (Greg) Thompson Hecker of Lindsborg, Kansas; Jesse (Rosie) Thompson of Leander, Texas; Leah Schmidt of Portland, Oregon; Thomas Fleming of Wichita, Kansas; Elsie Fleming of Missoula, Montana; and Luna Fleming of Paola, Kansas.

She is also survived by her beloved great‑grandchildren: Kennedy, Grayson, Remy, and Abraham Hecker, and Harper and Alexa Thompson.

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her son, Richard Alan; and her parents, Peter J. Goering and Frieda (Goering) Goering; as well as her stepmother, Edna (Stucky) Goering. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Theodore (Jim) Goering; her brothers‑in‑law, Frank Nachtigal and Raymond Eugene Schmidt; her sister‑in‑law, Esther Stucky Schmidt; and her great‑granddaughter, Abigail Leslie Hecker.

Josephine is remembered for her warm, gentle smile, her hospitality and kindness, and her steadfast commitment to living out her Christian faith through everyday acts of love and care for all others, as Jesus taught.

Funeral services will be held at Faith Mennonite Church in North Newton, Kansas, on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Because winter weather can be unpredictable, the service will also be livestreamed for family and friends at a distance who are unable to attend in person. The livestream can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/@faithmennonitechurch6932/streams

The family is planning an in‑person gathering for close relatives in June.

Memorials may be made out to Kidron Bethel Village designated for the Health Care Benevolent Fund, or to the Faith Mennonite Church Memorial Fund.