Nikkel, Elizabeth Penner (1867-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Dec 4 p. 6

Birth date: 1867 Jan 29

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the Alexanderwohl church Sunday afternoon for Mrs. Elizabeth Nikkel, 85, pioneer resident of Marion county, who passed away at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel, on Friday, Nov. 28. She was born in Russia and came to this country in 1878, the family settling in the Bruderthal community near Hillsboro. She is survived by eight children and a number of grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Dec 18 p. 10

text of obituary:

MRS. ELIZABETH NIKKEL

Elizabeth Nikkel, nee Penner, daughter of Rev. Jacob W. and Anna Penner was born January 29, 1867, in South Russia, where she also spent her early childhood and received part of her elementary education.

At the age of about 12 years, in the year 1878, she migrated with her parents, brothers, and sisters to America. They settled in Marion county, Kansas, in the village of Brudertal, northeast of Hillsboro, where she grew to womanhood and received the remainder of her elementary education. Being the second oldest in the family, she was also called upon to fully share the harship [sic] and hard work in pioneering years with her parents.

In 1885, on May 25, upon the confession of her faith she was baptized by elder William Ewert and joined the Brudertal church.

On October 25, 1895, she was married to Abraham J. Nikkei and joined the Alexanderwohl church, whose faithful member she remained until her death. At this marriage she accepted the motherhood of four children, Kathrina, Sara, Anna, and Mary, and hereby became the grandmother of 14 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Of this number the following preceded her in death; Kathrina, Mrs. P. J. Schroeder, and her two sons, Abraham and Jacob Schroeder; Sara, Mrs. Abraham S. Reimer; and Mildor Buller, son of Mary and Peter Buller.

To this union were born seven children: four daugters [sic], Elizabeth, Martha, Esther, and Mathilda, and three sons, Henry, Jacob, and Theodore. One daughter, Martha, Mrs. P. H. Schmidt, preceded her in death. She became the grandmother of 26 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. One grandchild preceded her in death.

On October 25, 1920, our parents had the privilege of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. On July 22, 1922, her husband and our dear father passed away, leaving her a widow in which state she remained the rest of her life. To her husband she was a true and faithful companion on his life journey, and to us she was a true mother teaching us the way of eternal life. In her daily life she was modest, industrious and conservative in whatever she did. She enjoyed good health all the days of her life. Her great pleasure was to attend church regularly and to contribute to the work of relief for the suffering.

She was a widow for 30 years; 15 of these she spent with her children and during the remainder she made her home at Goessel, Kansas. There she spent the days and years in quietness. She was grateful that this privilege was granted her, for here she had time to pray daily for her family and children and for those who were less fortunate than she was.

On Sunday, November 23, she attended church for the last time, although she complained a little of not feeling well. On Monday, Nov. 24, she apparently suffered a light stroke which slightly paralyzed her right leg and caused her to fall from her chair. She was found by her neighbor later in the afternoon and was taken to Bethesda hospital. She seemingly rallied so the doctor and nurses expressed hope that she had a good chance of recovery. She immediately expressed herself that she would not remain with us much longer, but that she was ready to go to her heavenly Home.

On Nov. 27 it became apparent that she was failing rapidly. A blood clot had developed and she passed to her reward at 8:00 o’clock, Friday morning, Nov. 28, at the age of 85 years and ten months.

In her agony and pain she comforted herself with the Word of God and songs, of which she knew many by heart. She was also supported with Scripture and prayer by her children and pastor and many others who prayed for her. We as children and grandchildren are grateful to our Heavenly Father for such a mother and grandmother.

She leaves to mourn her departure two brothers, Henry B. Penner, Meadowlake, Sask. and Rev. P. W. Penner and wife, Mathilda; two sisters, Mrs. F. N. Funk and husband, and Mrs. Sara Nickel, all of Hillsboro, Kansas. She leaves also eight children, five daughters and three sons, Mrs. Anna Frey, Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Buller, Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Adolf Funk, Hillsboro, Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Nikkel, Canton, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob P. Nikkel, North Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore P. Nikkel, Canton, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf F. Klassen, Moundridge, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Unrau, Lehigh, and grandchildren and many relatives and friends. — The Bereaved Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Jan 13 p. 29