Mierau, Katherina Unruh (1887-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 May 18 p. 8

Birth date: 1877 Oct 28

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHERINA MIERAU

Katherina Unruh Mierau, daughter of Henry and Tena Unruh, was born Oct. 28, 1877, in Alexanderthal, South Russia. Here she spent her childhood days in the family home.

When she reached the age of about 20, she accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church for fellowship.

In 1903, she was united in holy matrimony with Jacob Mierau. This union was blessed with two sons and four daughters. One daughter, Lydia, passed away in infancy, while another daughter, Sarah, passed away at the age of 12.

During the first years of the Russian conflict when Communism was first making its inroad, they left their home in South Russia and fled to the Amur River near the China border. After about two years, they crossed the border and arrived in China in 1930, later leaving for South America.

En route to South America, Mr. Mierau passed away in France. She placed her faith in God and continued her journey to South America together with her son, Jacob. In South America, she made her home with her son Jacob for a number of years. In 1948 she came to the United States, where for the next 12 years she lived with her children, Jacob and Anna Goertz.

For a short time she lived in the Reedley M. B. Home for the Aged. The last seven months she spent in the Fresno County Hospital as an invalid. She never complained in these days, and gave testimony that the way to glory was open. Thursday afternoon, May 4, the Lord called her home to heaven. She reached the age of 83 years, four months, and seven days.

She leaves to mourn, four children, Mrs. Tina Hildebrandt, Paraguay, South America; Mrs. Anna Goertz, Kingsburg, Calif.; Jacob J. Mierau, and David Mierau, both of Reedley, Calif., two daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.

The memorial service was held in the Reedley M. B. Church on Monday, May 8, with Rev. Dan Friesen, and Rev. Henry L. Janzen officiating.