Erb, Elizabeth Yordy (1885-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jun 15 p. 8

Birth date: 1885 Nov 1

text of obituary:

ELIZABETH ERB

Elizabeth (Yordy) Erb, 13th child of John and Magdalene (King) Yordy, was born at Milford, Neb. Nov. 1, 1885. She departed this life May 21, 1961, falling quietly asleep, surrounded by some of her best loved friends. She had taught her class in Sunday school, as usual, that morning.

Preceding her in death in August, 1938 was her husband, Samuel S. Erb, also a step-son, Ray L. in January, 1958 . Surviving her are three daughters and a step-son, Myrtle (Mrs. P. H. Friesen), Green Mountain Falls, Colo., Mary (Mrs. Paul Mininger), Goshen, Ind., Edna (Mrs. Roy Marner) Colorado Springs, Colo., and Joe W., Wellman, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Bella Schrock, Albany, Ore., and many neices [sic] and nephews. She was the grandmother of 12, the great grandmother of 20.

As a young woman, she accepted Christ as her Savior. Her earnest search for God led her to life on the highest spiritual plane, and there she lived victoriously. Her earthly life might have been extended, had she not poured it out sacrificially for others. Sensing her failing strength, she wrote recently to loved ones, “My heart is set on still doing a few more worthwhile things for Him who made the supreme sacrifice for me.” But her Master said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter into the joys of thy Lord.”

Forty-eight years of her life were lived in the state of Iowa. In 1940 she became a member of the Pilgrim Holiness church in Des Moines. In June 1949 she moved to Colorado Springs, Colo. where she later transferred her membership to the Knob Hill Pilgrim Holiness Church. Continuing her profession of nursing, she also shared deeply her devoted service with her church family. One of her greatest joys was to give of her means for the propagating of the Gospel, and correspondence with missionaries was a ministry with her.

Funeral services were conducted by pastors Ray Gilbert and D. W. Lacey in Colorado Springs on May 23, after which the body was escorted to Iowa City, Iowa. Graveside service was conducted May 25 by Rev. Earl Erb near South English, Iowa, in which community she lived from 1905 to 1939.