Franz, Abraham (1862-1929)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1929 Sep 4 p. 4

Birth date: 1862 Oct 21

text of obituary:

Henderson, Neb.

Aug. 28, 1929.

Dear Editor of the Review:

If it is not asking too much of you we would kindly ask you to publish the enclosed obituary of Bro. A. Franz in The Review. He was the secretary for three years or until he found it necessary to resign, of the All-Mennonite S. S. Convention of Nebraska which he filled so faithfully. This spring he compiled a complete report of all the conventions, recorded it in a book, and turned it over to the convention, at the last session. The convention feels deeply indebted to Bro. Franz, for the services, rendered. Since he was a real penman, he was asked to record the last report, after it had appeared in the different Mennonite publications, into the book, in which he recorded the other reports, in such commendable way. He promised to do this after he would come back from his trip to the mountains, but was prevented from doing so, for death overtook him before he returned home from his trip. The convention deeply feels this loss, a life spent in a worth-while manner, and ready at all times, to help to make the S. S. Convention a success. We fully trust, that Bro. Franz now is reaping his crown of glory, which is promised, by the good Lord, to all the faithful, when he says, "enter into the joy of the Lord."

— J. J. Friesen

Abraham Franz

Abraham Franz was born in Alexanderthal, South Russia on Oct. 21, 1862. When he was almost 4 years old his father died and in the year 1868 his mother was married to Heinrich K. Penner and moved to Landskrone, Russia. Here he entered the schools in the year 1869. In the spring of 1875 the family moved to Alexanderwohl and in the year 1879 to America and settled three miles south of Hampton. In Nov. 1889 he was converted through the grace of God and on April 20, 1890 was baptized by Elder J. J. Regier and became a member of the Mennonite brethren church near Henderson, of which he remained a faithful member to the end.

In the winter 1889 he came to Henderson and the next seven years was employed as a clerk in a store, the next eight years as a creamery bottlemaker. The next 25 years and 2 months he served as a Rural Mail Carrier of Route 1 out of Henderson. He then retires, enjoying a government pension for one year and ten months.

He was married to Helena Fast, daughter of Gerhard and Elizabeth Fast, on May 16, 1893 and shred life with her for 36 years and 3 months, until his death. In this wedlock 10 children were born, 5 sons, 4 daughters, 5 sons-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law, 2 half sisters, 4 half brothers, 16 grandchildren and a host of friends who mourn his death. His mother, one son, one grandchild and one sister preceded him in death.

He was a true child of God and found happiness in making others happy. He loved nature as the work of God's hand. In order to see more of God's wonderful earth he took a trip to the Black Hills and Yellowstone park. Here he received a stroke and very soon after this he died in the hospital at Cody, Wyo., on Aug. 17. He attained the age of 66 years, 9 months and 26 days.

Together with his happy disposition and optimistic outlook on life he bore an inner longing for the home above the skies. Many of his favorite songs sang of the longing of the soul for the heavenly home. On this last rip when pitching the tent he would always sing with expression the old German hymn:

"I'm pitching now my wanderer's tent,
Nearer to Thee O Lord
When then my pulse has ceased and my soul has Heavenward fled,
And I from death to life have risen,
Then shall my soul triumphant be."

Mourning his death yet knowing that he lives as a child of a King and that death shall part us but a little while.

Mother and Family.