Hildagarde Schmidt

Hildagarde Ella (Striebe) Honrath Schmidt, 97, died on October 22 in Ashlar of Newtown Masonic Home.

She was born in Muhlhausen, Germany, on July 8, 1903, to the late Amo and Martha (Wandt) Striebe. She came to America in 1909, through Ellis Island, where her name is on the American immigrant Wall of Honor.

She was the widow of Carl W. Honrath and Louis Schmidt, and lived in Stratford, Bridgeport, Sandy Hook (Shady Rest) and Nunnawauk Meadows in Newtown.

 She was an active member and volunteer in the Newtown Senior Citizens. She loved playing “Mrs Santa” at the General Electric Corporate Headquarters’ annual children’s Christmas party in Fairfield from the time she was 80 until she was 90 years old. Hilda was a member of Azalia Chapter 2, Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years.

She is survived by her loving children, Carl W. Honrath and his wife, Eleanor, of Stratford, Robert A. Honrath and his wife, Sarah, of Las Vegas, Lois M. (Honrath) Kollar Erdos and her husband, Joseph, of Stratford; cherished grandchildren, Robert A. (Diane) Honrath, Jr, of Monroe, Cathy Ann Honrath (Gary) Vernon of Las Vegas, Gail F. Honrath (Bryan) Hook of Milford, Laura M. Kollar (Peter) Bashar of Stratford, Ann M. Kollar (Mark) Myszka of Plainville, Jacqueline L. Kollar (Stephen) Duranko of Stratford, and Leanne M. Kollar of Tampa, Fla.; her adored 16 great-grandchildren who always loved to sing and dance for her, Danielle, Lauren, Brittany and Robert Honrath, Christy and Scott Vernon Christian Hook, Nicole, Alysa, Kristina and Peter Bashar, Andrew, Francis and Maggie Myszka, Stephen Duranko and Toni Erdos. She is also survived by a loving and special niece, Kathleen (Striebe) Gillespy of Stratford and several other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Felix Striebe; sister, Elly (Striebe) Webber; grandson, Andrew C. Kollar; and son-in-law, Andrew J. Kollar.

 According to Hilda’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ashlar of Newtown, PO Box 5505, Newtown, CT 06470.

The Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford, was entrusted with the arrangements.

The Newtown Bee         October 27, 2000