Emma Ruth (Huxman) Schmidt died on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, at 100 years and 4 months, at The Cedars in McPherson, Kansas. She was born to Rudy and Esther (Meyer) Huxman on July 20, 1925 at Newton, Kansas.
She grew up on a farm northeast of Moundridge, along with three brothers. She went to elementary school at South Happy Hollow, and attended one year of high school at Moundridge. She attended Midwest Bible and Missionary Institute for 2 years in Salina; after which she worked in housekeeping at Bethel Home in Newton.
Emma Ruth was introduced to Ormond (O.D.) Schmidt in early 1947, and they were married on Sept 5, 1947, in Calvary Tabernacle Church in Moundridge. They moved to a small farm without modern conveniences southeast of Goessel. There, their first child, Myron, was born to them in 1949.
They moved to a farm northeast of Canton where their other two children were born; a son Neil in 1952 and a daughter Ellen in 1956. Later, they moved to the farm where O.D. had grown up and stayed there until their retirement.
They were members of the Flying Farmers organization, and Emma Ruth was crowned as the Kansas Queen in 1988 and 2008. While O.D. was a pilot, Emma Ruth took flying lessons and soloed in 1965; mostly to be a co-pilot in case of emergency.
Emma Ruth was a farm wife who helped in the field, grew huge gardens and butchered chickens. She was the secretary of the Goessel Mennonite Church for years, and later she received her CNA training and worked at Shiloh Manor Nursing Home in Canton. After the couple’s retirement from farming and subsequent move to McPherson in 1994, she spent countless hours volunteering at The Cedars, where she fed residents, did manicures, helped with bingo and led music for worship services. Emma Ruth was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the City of McPherson in 2006.
She is survived by son Myron Schmidt of Newton; son Neil Schmidt and wife Virginia of McPherson; daughter Ellen and husband Larry Gilbert of McPherson; grandchildren: Racquel Thiesen High, Craig Schmidt and wife Laura, Kevin Schmidt and wife Nicole, Erin Koehn and husband Milan, Kyle Gilbert, Lesli Coomes and husband Jason; great-grandchildren: Georgia Berning and husband Spencer, Gentry Thiesen, Madeline Schmidt, Samuel Schmidt, Trent Schmidt, Caleb Schmidt, Alyssa Schmidt, Juliana Schmidt, Nora High, Holland High, Emma Coomes; great-great-grandchildren: Wren Berning, Murphy Berning.
She was preceded in death by her husband O.D., parents, brothers; Elmer, Orlin, Melvin; great-granddaughter, Tatum High.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the McPherson Church of the Brethren. A reception will follow for family and friends to reminisce.
Memorials are suggested to the music department of the McPherson Church of the Brethren or to Gentiva Hospice in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.