Pauls, Helena Thiessen Regehr (1874-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Mar 31 p. 3

Birth date: 1874 Jan 1

text of obituary:

HELENA REGEHR PAULS

Mrs. Helena Regehr Pauls, nee Thiessen, was born January 1, 1874, in Rudnerweide, South Russia. In July 1877 she came to this country with her parents, Jacob and Sara Thiessen, and settled on a farm southwest of Moundridge. Here she spent her childhood days, receiving her education under difficult and trying circumstances.

At the age of 18, she realized her need of a Saviour and found the forgiveness of her sins and peace in her heart through the Lord Jesus. On June 6, 1892, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by the Elder Heinrich Toews and received as a member in the Bethel church. Though she had to contend often with temptations and trials, yet she thanked God for the victory in overcoming sin and for an unwavering faith.

She united in holy wedlock with Heinrich Regehr November 29, 1892, and moved to a farm southwest of Inman. This union was blessed with 10 children, five sons and five daughters. One daughter, Sara, and one son, Peter, died in 1910, death separating these two only three days apart. Father died July 29, 1929, after having enjoyed a union of 37 years. Mother remained on the farm for six years with her two youngest daughters.

On November 17, 1935, she was married to John J. Pauls, after which they moved to Texas and shortly thereafter to Meade, Kansas, where they joined the E.M.B. church. Here she remained a faithful member till the end.

In June 1948 they moved to Inman, where it was her privilege to spend her last year near her children, who were very grateful for this opportunity to help when needed.

She had been sickly this past winter and had spoken often of the time when she would be with her Lord and Saviour. She suffered a heart attack on the 22nd of February at about 10:30 a. m., and at 10:35 p. m. she passed away quietly to be forever with the Lord. We are thankful to God that He did not permit her to suffer long. We will miss her, yet we mourn not as those who have no hope.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, John J. Pauls; four sons and their wives, Henry of Portersville, Calif., Jake, George, and Curt of Inman; four daughters and their husbands, Mrs. John H. Buller, Mrs. Frank Pauls, Mrs. George Becker, and Mrs. Jake Becker, all of Inman; one brother John, a missionary in India; 34 grandchildren, of whom seven have preceded her in death; 14 great grandchildren of whom one also preceded her in death; five step-children and their families who have given her much love; and many other relatives and friends.

She reached the age of 75 years, one month and 29 days. We mourn her passing, but find comfort in her own words which she put into a poem: Only one thing need be said of me — that I was weak and frail, yet made clean through Him who cleanseth, who hath covered all. Let us not mourn or complain, Only thank God with me, That soon we shall see each other. — The bereaved family.