Foth, Eva Harms (1875-1938)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 Apr 27 p. 5

Birth date: 1875 Apr 1

text of obituary:

Eva Foth.

Eva Foth, nee Harms, was born on April 1, 1875, at Newton, Kansas. She grew up in the Grace Hill (Gnadenberg) community near Whitewater, Kansas. She was baptized upon her confession of faith on April 10, 1889, by the Elder John Schroeder, and was admitted to membership in the Grace Hill church.

She entered into holy matrimony with Jacob A. Foth on October 2, 1898, and to this union were born eleven children. Three children having preceded her in death, the twins and a baby girl, all dying in infancy. On October 10, 1898, she left with her life companion in a wagon for Oklahoma to live on a homestead near Cordell. She embarked on this trip, which could be called her honeymoon, with patience and the spirit of adventure. Here in this new country she endured the hardships, the trials and the pleasures as exemplified by the pioneer woman.

She was generous and hospitable and always counted it a pleasure to be able to serve a meal to visiting friends.

In 1913, she injured her leg which resulted in varicose veins and open wounds on both legs. She suffered much for 22 years, nevertheless continued to do a tremendous amount of work. She had much fortitude and bore her suffering without complaint.

She enjoyed travel. It was an additional pleasure for her in 1935 to attend the General Conference of Mennonites at Upland, California. At the same time she was able to meet and visit with all the children there in Los Angeles, except the Schroeder family who then lived in Oklahoma.

Later in the fall of 1935 she became afflicted with cancer and also suffered from high blood pressure. her cancer was healed in the fall of 1936. She still suffered to some extent from high blood pressure when in December, 1936, mother and father went to Los Angeles. Due to the change in climate and the encouragement received from being again with most of her children, she recuperated quickly and her blood pressure was again almost normal.

Returning to Oklahoma on June 1, 1937, she again settled on the farm southeast of Cordell.

She seemed to be in normal health and happy this winter. She anticipated many happy moments for this summer because of the expected visit of several of the children from distant places. However, in the second week of February her heart began to bother and on February 12, she suffered a severe heart attack known as Cardiac asthma. With medical aid she recovered and gained some strength. On April 2 of the year she enjoyed a pleasant day and happy evening without any warning or indication of the approaching end. Immediately upon retiring she suffered another heart attack and within 45 minutes passed away at 12:30 o’clock a.m. on April 13, 1938. She reached the age of 63 years and 12 days.

She realized that she would not recover from this attack and gave goodbye to her beloved husband and said, “Where are my children? Where are my children?”

She leaves mourning her departure her beloved husband and father, Jacob A. Foth of Cordell, Oklahoma and eight children. The children are Ruth Baergen of Blaine, Washington; Linda Schroeder of Los Angeles, Calif.; Walter Foth of Cordell; Reuben Foth of Los Angeles; Esther Andres of Newton, Kansas; Adolph, Mary and Alma Foth, all of Los Angeles, California. She also leaves three son-in-laws, four grandchildren, three brothers, and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was an active member of the Sichar church for many years. She led a good Christian life and in her quiet way exerted her influence for the good.

We mourn not without hope, but know that she has gone on to be with her Heavenly Father. — Father and children.