Froese, David P. (1871-1941)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Aug 20 p. 2

Birth date: 1871 Jun 23

text of obituary:

David P. Froese

David P. Froese, son of Mr. an Mrs. Cornelius Froese, was born on June 23, 1871, in a small village of South Russia, named Elizabethal. The family emigrated from that country in 1876. They established their residence on a farm about two miles east of Buhler, Kans. In this vicinity he attended school. One of these schools was conducted by John Siemens. He also attended school conducted by his own father.

Later he worked as a farmer throughout the settlement of Buhler where he made many friends. He was baptised in the Hebron church by Rev. Bernard Buhler in 1889. In 1894 he homesteaded a farm near Corn, Oklahoma. Two years later he married Helena Friesen of near Burrton, Kansas. together they moved to the Oklahoma farm in a covered wagon. They worked together as pioneers and remained there until 1918.

At this time the property was sold and the family moved to Kansas where they could be closer to their relatives. They located on a farm north of Burrton. Discontinuing farming in 1924 he moved the family to Inman, where they lived a short while, and in 1928 he located in Hutchinson, which has been his home until his death. Here the family became members of this Mennonite church.

A few months ago his failing health was evidenced by his constant tiredness.

His condition was brought about by high blood pressure. This, together with other complications reduced his strength, of which he has always been very proud, and resulted in his death in a local hospital on Sunday, August 10, at 1:35 p.m. at the age of 70 years, 1 month and 18 days.

He was laid to rest in the Hebron cemetery.

He related he was glad to go home to those that had passed on, also that he was glad that mother would stay with the remaining children. He was preceded in death by a daughter Helen and son John, both of whom died in infancy, and by his son Cornelius; three brothers, John, Cornelius, and Barney, and his father and mother.

Surviving are: the widow, with whom he lived for almost 45 years; Mrs. Helena Froese; five sons: Abe F. of Penalosa, Kansas, David F. of Oakland, Calif., Walter E. of Hutchinson, Albert B. of Wichita, John S. of Wichita; three daughters: Mrs. Elizabeth Regier of Hutchinson, Mrs. Helen Boese of Wichita, Mrs. Martha Stucky of Wichita; three brothers: Abe P. of Buhler, Pete P. of Buhler, Jake P. of Inman,; two sisters: Mrs. Marie Jansen of Orland, Calif.; Mrs. Katherine Adrian of Buhler, and a host of other relatives and many friends.