Brockmueller, Mary Preheim (1877-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jul 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1877 Jan 21

text of obituary:

MARY PREHEIM BROCKMUELLER

Peter and Barbara Strausz Preheim came to the U.S. from Russia with the great immigration of 1874, landing in Yankton, Dakota Territory, in August. As it was late in the season they rented a farm 12 miles northeast of Yankton. Here their home was established, and a daughter, Mary, their third child, was born Jan. 21, 1877. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to their homestead in what is now Childstown township, Turner County where Mary grew to young womanhood. Her youth like all those of the early settlers, was rugged, with many privations and the many conveniences and pleasures enjoyed by young people today were unknown to them. This helped to develop her character and she was steadfast, holding true to her convictions even to her last days.

She was reared in a Christian home, in the fear of the Lord, and faithfully helped her parents with the labors, both outside and in, helping care for the younger members of the family. She also cared for her invalid grandmother for many months. Her schooling was meagre, but she gained sufficient knowledge of the three R’s to help her much in life. She read much, particularly about world affairs, and could converse fluently on the happenings of the day.

She faithfully attended church services with her parents each Sunday, receiving catechetical instruction, and upon her confession of faith was baptized by Elder Christian Kaufman on June 5, 1892, and received into the membership of the Salem-Zion church. In young womanhood, she also attended the revivals held by the Evangelical group at the late John Unruh home, and here she received her assurance that she was a newborn child of the Lord, strengthening her faith. Through these meetings she became acquainted with Wilhelm Brockmueller, to whom she was married in her parents’ home oct. 25, 1899, by the local Evangelical minister, Rev. Rekow. Their home was established on the groom’s farm in Welshtown Township, Yankton county and she transferred her church membership to the Evangelical church remaining a member until after they moved to Turner county in 1913. She later transferred her membership to the Salem Mennonite church where she had been a faithful member until her death.

Through hard work and painstaking efforts, the parents achieved a nice home, and in this home the fear of the Lord was always stressed. Four children were born to this union, and mother was always on the alert for her children’s welfare, not only temporally, but also spiritually. All who came into our home received a hearty welcome and were shown great hospitality. Last October they were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding in the home with a circle of immediate relatives and friends. This was done quietly due to her declining health.

Over three years ago she underwent a very serious operation for hernia, and all the doctors despaired of her life. However through much intercessory prayer, she was miraculously restored and was able to enjoy fair health for a time. However, some results of her operation remained, and complications of anemia, heart trouble, enlarged liver and others developed. She received many blood transfusions, but her body grew steadily weaker. When the family was no longer able to give her the necessary nursing care , she was transferred to the Salem Home for Aged at Freeman, May 7, so that she could be cared for by her youngest sister, Frances Hahnemann, a trained nurse. Here loving hands did all that could be done for her.

She suffered much the last few weeks, gradually passing into a coma several days before death came at 7:30 a.m. June 15. She reached the age of 73 years, four months, and 24 days.

Left to mourn her passing are her bereaved husband; her children, Elias, Ella, Sam and David; three daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, five brothers and two sisters with five sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, her husband’s two brothers and two sisters, also a host of other relatives and friends. Thus has passed away a sincere Christian, a faithful wife, a loving mother, and a true friend, beloved by all who knew her.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, June 17 at the Salem Mennonite church, Freeman, with her pastor, Rev. W. K. Claassen in charge and Rev. John c. Kaufman, a long-time fiend of the family, assisting. Interment was made at the Salem cemetery.