Dick, Klaas (1855-1938)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 Oct 26 p. 5

Birth date: 1855 Aug 25

text of obituary:

Klaas Dick

Our husband and father, Klaas Dick, was born August 25, 1855, in Elisabethtal, South Russia, where he also spent his boyhood years and received his elementary education under the teacher Cornelius Froese.

At the age of 20 years he migrated with his parents to America, where they made their home four miles east of Buhler, in Reno county.

IN 1876, upon the confession of his faith, he was baptized by Elder Dietrich Gaeddert and was accepted as a member of the Hoffnungsau church. Later, when the Hebron church was established, he transferred his membership to this church.

He was married to Miss Katherine Martens in 1877. This happy home life lasted only sixteen years, when death took his first wife. That marriage was blessed with nine children of which three died in infancy. Late, one son, Klaas Dick, and two daughters, Mrs. Cornelius Voth, and Mrs. Isaac Thiessen, also one son-in-law, David Neufeld, preceded him in death.

In 1883 he married a second time, Mrs. Aganeta [sic Aganetha] Harder. Two daughters were thus brought into the family. this marriage was later blessed with three additional children.

In 1909 he left the farm with his family and made his home in the city of Buhler, here he also lived until his death. During the almost thirty years of city life, he was always willing to help and serve in various ways. He also was active in city government and served as a member of the city council for ten consecutive years.

Ten years ago he quite suddenly lost his vision of his left eye, and seven years later the other eye also failed him. For three years he has therefore lived in total darkness. For this reason he was forced to stay at home and in the house most of the time. Visits from friends and relatives were most thoroughly appreciated at all times.

During the last two weeks he complained of pain in his left shoulder which pain later settled in his chest, in the regions of the heart.

Doctor's prescriptions resulted only in partial relief. Tuesday morning, October 11, his condition suddenly became worse, so that he was forced to remain in bed. Doctors ordered absolute rest and quiet. His sickness was pronounced an ailment of the heart. Wednesday, October 12, 2:45 o'clock in the afternoon, he passed into the great beyond.

Only a short time back Father Dick prepared his will, and put all his affairs in proper shape. He gave for his reason, I am old and lived long enough and wish to die. often during the past summer he expressed the wish that he might be privileged to leave this world of darkness and go to the place of eternal light. A day or so before his death he firmly expressed the confidence that he was ready to die and would gladly leave this world to live in heaven.

Father has attained the ripe old age of 83 years, one month and seventeen days. He leaves his bereaved wife, three sons, A. M. Dick, Buhler; J. M. Dick, Liberal; and Herma Dick, Buhler. Five daughters, Mrs. Anna Neufeld, Inman; Mrs. Katie Letkeman, Buhler; Mrs. Justina Martens, Burrton; Mrs. Marie Hiebert, Buhler; and Miss Liezabeth [sic Elisabeth] Dick, Buhler, all in Kansas. Five sons-in-law, three daughters-in-law, forty-two grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren.