Heppner, Erdman (1866-1939)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Nov 15 p. 3

Birth date: 1866 Dec 28

text of obituary:

Erdman Heppner, Sr.

Erdman Heppner Sr., son of Deitrich [sic Dietrich] and Maria (nee Buhr) Heppner, was born December 28, 1866, in the village of Schoentahl [sic Schoenthal], colony of Bergthal about thirty-five miles from the city of Marienpol, South Russia.

In 1876 he came, with his parents, to America arriving in Mountain Lake, Minn., in August of the same year. The family settled on a farm about twelve miles northeast of Mountain Lake.

He was the youngest of fourteen children, all of whom have preceded him in death.

On July 6, 1890, Erdman Heppner was united in holy matrimony with Helen Friesen also of Mountain lake [sic]. Four months later in October, 1890, the young couple moved on a farm near Butterfield, Minn.

To this union were born four sons, Abraham, Deitrich [sic Dietrich], Erdman Jr. and Peter. Sixteen days after the birth of Peter the young mother passed to her heavenly reward. Both Heppner and Helena Friesen Heppner had been baptized and received into the Mennonite Church at Mountain Lake by Elder Gerhard Neufeld.

On January 3, 1897, he again answered the vows of matrimony, with Helena Peters, also of Mountain Lake. To this union were born six boys and two girls, Cornelius, Jacob, John, William, Henry and Walter and Marie (a twin with John) and Helena. Both the girls died in infancy. In 1908 the family moved to North Dakota where they lived till 1911 when they moved to Winton, Calif. here they lived till 1917 when they moved to a ranch near Reedley.

Erdman Heppner departed this life on October 20, 1939. Having succomed [sic] to a heart attack while asleep in bed. He brought his age to 72 years, 9 months and 27 days. He leaves to mourn his departure his widow, ten sons, 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Interment at Reedley cemetery. Officiating was Rev. Dillman B. Hess of the Community Church at Winton, Calif., (Dr. Langenwalter was in Ohio). Text, 11. Samuel 12-23. We laid the body to rest in the hope that his departed soul has gone to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in whom he believed.

The Mennonite obituary: 1939 Nov 28 p. 14