Eck, Susanna Schmidt Nelson (1861-1938)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1938 Jun 7 p. 11

Birth date: 1861 Jan 15

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 May 17 p. 2

text of obituary:

Mrs. Adam Eck

Mrs. Adam Eck, formerly Susanna Schmidt, daughter of Tobias and Luvantina (Decker) Schmidt was born January 15, 1861, in the village of Jadwalin in Russia.

In 1874 she, with her parents and other loved ones, migrated to America and settled as pioneers in McPherson county, Kansas.

In 1877 she was baptized by Elder Jacob Stucky upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ and thus became a member of the Mennonite church.

On June 4 she entered into sacred matrimony with Lewis Nelson. This union was blessed with three children: Ben, Lena and John Lewis. The last named died in infancy. For the first 20 years of their married life they lived on a farm five miles northeast of McPherson. In 1899 they moved 8 miles southeast of McPherson, where they improved the place and thus as successful farmers built themselves a convenient and congenial home. It was here on July 2, 1910 that her husband Lewis Nelson, died, after having shared joys and sorrows of life for 31 years.

After five years of widowhood she was joined in wedlock with widower Adam Eck. The two lived on her farm until 1917, at which time they visited Los Angeles, California, and decided to move there the following year. Here her second husband, Adam Eck, died, who would have gladly remained with her in order to help her in her state of blindness. Now after two years the Lord had freed her from all suffering by calling her to her reward. She passed away May 6, 1938, at the age of 77 years, 3 months and 21 days.

In 1894 she joined the Canton, now Emmanuel Mennonite church, and has never changed her membership. She was a loving, true-hearted Christian and sought to serve the living God.

She leaves to mourn her passing two children and their families, namely, Ben Nelson, McPherson, and Lena Mrs. F. T. Wedel, Los Angeles, California; 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters, namely, Anna, Mrs. B. Ratzlaff, Hillsboro; Elizabeth, Mrs. J. A. Wedel, Meno, Okla.; and three brothers, namely, Henry Schmidt, Jet, Okla.; David Schmidt, Great Bend; and Cornelius Schmidt, Greensburg. There are also eight step-children, many other relatives and friends who will long remember her love and kindness.

Funeral services were held at the home of Ben Nelson near McPherson on Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock with Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff of Newton and Rev. E. J. Neuenschwander of McPherson officiating. Interment was made at the McPherson cemetery beside her first husband, Lewis Nelson. A quartet sang at the home and at the cemetery.