Franz, Susanna Berg (1862-1938)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1938 Nov 29 p. 14

Birth date: 1862 Oct 2

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 Nov 30 p. 2

text of obituary:

Mrs. Suzanna Berg Franz

Our mother, Mrs. Suzanna Berg Franz, was born October 2, 1862, in South Russia. In the year 1874 she came with her parents to America where they established their home in Marion, South Dakota. Upon her confession of faith she was baptized by Rev. Frederic Schartner and admitted into the fellowship of the First Mennonite church. She was united in holy wedlock with Peter Franz in 1884 with whom she lived until October 20, 1922, when her husband was taken from her by death. This union was blessed with ten children, one of which died in infancy and the other, Peter, who died in February, 1917, at the age of 30 years, and Martin who died in July 1929, at the age of 34 years.

On Sunday, November 6, our mother left for Marion, So. Dakota, with her daughter, Ida Matthies and her son, John, to visit her brothers, George and Cornelius Berg before she left her earthly home. Shortly after her arrival there she contracted pneumonia after which she passed away to her eternal home at the home of her sister, Agnes Berg, on November 15, 1938, having attained the age of 76 years, 1 month, and 13 days. She leaves to mourn her departure three sons, John of Hutchinson, Kansas; Curt of Inman, Kansas; and Henry of Corn, Oklahoma; and four daughters, Susie Siemens of Medora, Kansas; Ida Matthies of Hutchinson, Kansas; Elizabeth Janzen of Custer City, Oklahoma; and Agatha Siemens of Moundridge, Kansas, 31 grandchildren and three great gandchildren [sic}.

We believe confidently that she has passed to he [sic] reward. Her life was filled with hard work, privation, and sorrow. But through it all she walked through the valley of the shadow of death and feared no evil for God was her comforter. Through it all she maintained a clear mind to the very last. Here was a faith seldom excelled among men. Her life was marked with devotion and self-sacrifice, especially to her family. Her greatest tribulation during her declining years was her regret over the fact that she was unable to serve others as she had been accustomed to serving them.

Death did not come as a surprise to the family as mother frequently expressed a longing to meet her Savior face to face and a feeling that her departure was close at hand. Her declining years were made beautiful by a devoted family and the kindness of neighbors.

Our family circle is not broken but welded together by a great soul that shall guide us on to a high mark. Thus closes another chapter of life from which we have richly drawn. — The bereaved Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1938 Dec 6 p. 15