Fehdrau, Abraham W. (1869-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Oct 20 p. 3

Birth date: 1869 Oct 2

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM W. FEHDRAU

Abraham W. Fehdrau was born Oct. 29, 1869, in Furstenwerder, South Russia, to Aaron and Maria (Willems) Fehdrau.

At the age of 10 he migrated with his parents to America and they settled near Inman, where he spent his youth and received his education, which was very meager in those days. At the age of 21 he found peace in the shed blood of Christ, was converted, and was baptized by Rev. Heinrich Toews and received as a member into the Bethel church.

On March 29, 1892, he was joined in holy wedlock to Maria Friesen. To this union were born five children, one son and four daughters, of whom the son and one daughter died in infancy. Agatha, Mrs. Henry J. Enns, died in 1940 in 1940 [sic], and Marie, Mrs. Jacob H. Neufeld, in 1945. His wife died on Aug. 23, 1943 which left him very lonely.

Soon after their marriage they moved to Medford, Okla., from there [died in 1940, and Marie, Mrs. sic] to Seaborn and Megarel, Texas. Later they moved back to Inman, and settled on a farm southwest of Inman. They joined the Zoar Mennonite church, of which he remained a true member. He was a S. S. teacher for several years and in 1919 he was elected deacon, in which capacity he served to the best of his ability.

The last 23 months he was resident of the Home for the Aged, Inman, receiving very good care for which he was always thankful. He had never been sick much in his life. In recent months, however, he had several light heart attacks. This weakened him gradually and on Sept. 27, 1949, he was taken to the Mercy hospital in Moundridge, Kans. where everything was done to make him comfortable. However on Sunday, Oct 2, at 12:22 a. m. he quietly slipped away to be with Him whom he loved and served. He reached the age of 79 years, 11 months and three days.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his daughter Anna, Mrs. J. C. Klassen; two sons-in-law, Henry Enns and Jacob H. Neufeld; five grandchildren (one grandchild, Lydia Enns, died in Infancy); five great grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters, Henry W. Fehdrau of Buhler, Jacob W. Fehdrau, Mrs. Marie (John K.) Warkentin, Mrs. Katharine (A. H.) Toews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, one [preceded in death by his wife, one sic repeated in original] son, three daughters, one grandchild, his parents, four brothers and two sisters.

One of the highlights of his life was the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on March 29, 1942, which was celebrated in the Zoar church with friends and relatives attending and rejoicing with them. Their wedded life was a duration of 51 years, four months and 25 days.

Funeral services were held Wednesday Oct. 5 at 1:00 o'clock at the Home for the Aged at Inman, with Rev. P. I. Neufeld officiating and at 2:00 o'clock at the Zoar Mennonite church where Rev. D. C. Pauls officiated, assisted by Rev. J. P. Balzer. A mixed octet sang. His remains were laid to rest in the Zoar cemetery. Paul bearers were his nephews: Ed. F. Regier, John D. Regehr, John J. Warkentin, Frank F. Toews, Nick Fehdrau and A. M. Fehdrau. — The Family.