Koehn, Mary Jantz (1868-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Mar 21 p. 3

Birth date: 1868 Dec 30

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY KOEHN

Mary Jantz Koehn was born in Antinosfski, Poland (Russia) on December 30, 1868, the daughter of Benjamin and Eva Wedel (Ratzlaff) Jantz

At the age of five years she came to America with her parents, during the large immigration of 1874, the family settling in Kansas near Moundridge. Here she grew to womanhood. She was baptized on March 6, 1886, and joined the Canton Mennonite church.

On October 12, 1890, she was married to Henry C. Koehn. Elder John Ratzlaff officiated at the marriage, as well as at her baptism.

Mr. and Mrs. Koehn first lived in central Kansas, but later in Oklahoma; first near Taloga in Dewey county and then at a place near Fairview since 1921.

At this home they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on October 12, 1940, an occasion at which all the children and their families were present.

From this home they moved to southwest of Orienta, where Mrs. Koehn passed away in the early morning hour on February 11, 1946, at the age of 77 years, one month and 11 days.

She was bed-fast six weeks spending two weeks in the Fairview hospital. Both there and at home when she was so ill she often quoted these lines: “Haet Ich Fluegel, Haet ich Fluegel, floeg Ich ueber Berg und Tal zu Dir.” Quietly and quickly was her passing.

She is survived and mourned by her husband, Henry C. Koehn; four sons and four daughters, Ben of Meno, Adolph of Orienta; Malinda, Mrs. C. B. Schmidt, Enid; Hulda, Mrs. H. J. Buller, Orienta; Albert, Taloga; Lisbeth, Mrs. Wm. Frantz of Orienta; Henry of Orienta and Evelyn, Mrs. Lafey Eck of Lahoma; also four sons-in-law, four daughters-in-law, and 23 grandchildren. Two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren preceded her in death.

Mother’s parents both having been married previously and both having had children, there were four Ratzlaff half-brothers and three Ratzlaff half-sisters, all of whom preceded her in death.

From father’s side there were five Jantz half-brothers and one Jantz half-sister. Of these, Tobias of Greensburg, Kansas, survives her.

Also surviving her are one brother, Adam Jantz of Goltry, and one sister, Mrs. Wm. Unruh of Inglewood, California. One sister as the age of six preceded her in death; also one baby brother was buried at sea when the family came to America.

Funeral services were held February 14 in the Saron Mennonite church of which Rev. H. P. Fast was in charge, and was issisted [sic] by Rev. H. U. Schmidt from Meno. A quartet sang comforting and inspiring hymns. Interment was made in the Orienta cemetery.