Bechtel, Idella Hauck (1881-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 May 26 p. 8

Birth date: 1881 Mar 29

text of obituary:

IDELLA HAUCK BECHTEL

Idella, daughter of David Z. and Mary Kraemer Hauck, was born on March 29, 1881, in Schwenksville, Pa. Her family also lived in Spring Mount, Coopersburg and Allentown, Pa. during the years while she was growing into young womanhood. She attended the public schools.

In Allentown she was received into the membership of the Trinity Reformed church by the rite of baptism and confirmation and became an active worker in the church. From early childhood she was much interested in the Sunday school and Christian Endeavor.

In 1900 the family moved to Philadelphia, Pa. and the reunited with the First Mennonite church. Here she became active in Sunday school work, the Christian Endeavor society and church choir.

On Nov. 23, 1904, she was united in marriage with Andrew S. Bechtel in her parents' home at 1941 N. Marshall St., Philadelphia, by Rev. N. B. Grubb, pastor of the First church.

Four children were born to this marriage: Marie (Mrs. Donald Baer) of Trenton, Ill., Margaret who died in 1909, aged 14 months, Harold of Deer Creek, Okla., and Mabel (Mrs. Orville Baer) of Trenton, Ill.

She and her family lived in Philadelphia until August 1916 when they moved to Bluffton, Ohio, where her husband prepared more fully for the active ministry.

She served as pastor's wife in our churches in Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas from 1919 to 1946. She was a real helper to her husband in his work as pastor, leader and shepherd. She was active in work of the women in the church.

When her husband retired from the active ministry they returned to make their home first in Summerfield and later in the home of their daughter Marie and her husband, Donald Baer. Here she was active in the work of the Mission Society as long as she was able to do so. She loved the church and was a faithful attendant as long as she was able to be there.

Seven years ago she had a heart attack and had been under the doctor's care since then. She had several light attacks in the past years, but was able to be up and about although confined to the house for the last five years. She had been failing during the past year. On Wednesday evening, May 4, she had a severe heart attack. On Thursday morning, May 12, she had another heart attack and passed away peacefully and quietly. Her husband and daughters were at her bedside when she slipped away to go to her eternal Home. Her life span was 79 years, one month and 13 days.

Surviving are her husband, three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. William Wiebe of Bluffton, Ohio, four nieces, five nephews and a large circle of other relatives and friends. Her parents and three brothers preceded her in death.

She and her husband celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Nov. 23, 1954. They went life's pathway together for 55 years and almost six months. God indeed was good to them.

Funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. Ernest Neufeld, on Monday afternoon, May 16, in the Summerfield Mennonite church. Burial was made in the beautiful Summerfield cemetery. Two of the young ladies of the church sang two hymns selected by the family and much loved by our loved one, “Near to the Heart of God” and “Take Thou My Hand O Father.” — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1960 Jun 7 p. 387