Braeul, Katherina Wall (1871-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 15 p. 2

Birth date: 1871 Oct 22

text of obituary:

PIONEER SETTLER DIES AT 87

Buhler, Kan. — Funeral services were held at the Hebron Mennonite Church near here Jan. 5 for Mrs. Katherina Braeul, 87, pioneer Mennonite immigrant in central Kansas who died at a Hutchinson hospital after suffering a stroke of paralysis.

Mrs. Braeul was born in South Russia and came to Harvey County, Kan. as a small child, living there until 1928. Since then she had resided in the Buhler community.

One brother, Cornelius Wall of Buhler survives.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 15 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHERINA BRAEUL

Mrs. Katherina Wall Braeul, daughter of John M. and Elizabeth Lohrentz Wall, was born on Oct.22, 1871, in Elizabethtahl, Russia. She came to America with her parents in 1874 at the age of approximately three years and grew to womanhood on the farm of her parents in Harvey county, Kansas, about 10 and one-half miles east of Buhler.

Her educational opportunities were limited but she did have the privilege of attending the local elementary schools for several years. she learned the skills of a seamstress under the tutorship of Mrs. John L. Wall, and in keeping with the practice of that day made her own patterns for each garment she made.

With her parents she attended the Hebron Mennonite Church from childhood on and here learned to know Christ, whom she accepted as her personal Saviour and Lord. She was baptized on May 26, 1896, upon her personal confession by Elder Bernhard Buhler, and became a member of the Hebron Church, where she remained a devoted and faithful member until her departure from this life. For many years, until poor sight limited her activities, she took active part in the church sewing circle and greatly enjoyed this fellowship. She continued to attend services despite failing vision and poor hearing. To the end she always remained happy and courageous.

On June , 186 she was united in marriage with Abraham Braeul, a widower, and together they made their home 10 miles east of Buhler. Her husband was a blacksmith and she often helped him in his blacksmith shop. She spoke particularly of such work as sharpening discs. Despite the long days of hard work she found time to cultivate her appreciation for plants and flowers and had an unusual feeling and love for this part of God's creation.

Mr. Braeul had no children by his former marriage, nor were any children born to this union. They were permitted to share each others interests, joys and burdens for almost 23 years, until her husband's death on Jan. 21, 1928.

After her husband's death she made her home in Buhler, where she continued her work as a seamstress and spent many enjoyable hours reading and working in her garden. Her health had always been good except for declining vision and poor hearing in her later years. Several weeks ago she sumbitted [sic] to surgery on her right eye, hoping to improve her vision. On Dec. 31, 1958 she entered the Inman Old People's Home and it was here that on the following morning, New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 1959 that she suffered a stroke from which she never regained consciousness. She lingered only several hours at the Grace Hospital in Hutchinson before death came to her at 5:20 a.m., Jan. 2, 1959. She reached the age of 87 years two months and 11 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Abraham Braeul; three brothers and four sisters, Elizabeth, Mrs. Jacob A. Regier, John L. Wall, Miss Anna Wall, Peter L. Wall, Jacob L. Wall, Margaret, who died in childhood, and Marie, Mrs. John Neufeld.

She is survived by one brother, Cornelius L. Wall and his wife; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Jacob L. Wall, and a brother-in-law, John Neufeld, 13 nieces and nephews; besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted on Monday, Jan. 5, 1959 at the Hebron Mennonite Church, with Rev. O'Ray Graber officiating. She was laid to rest in the Hebron Cemetery, Buhler, kan.