Redger, Helena Jantz (1859-1944)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Oct 26 p. 3

Birth date: 1859 Jul 10

text of obituary:

MRS. HELENA REDGER

Mrs. Helena Redger, daughter of Abraham Jantz, was born July 10, 1859, at Karlsburg, Polish Russia. She died on October 9, 1944, at the home of her children, Simon Koehns, near Durham, Kansas, at the age of 90 years, 2 months and 29 days.

She was baptized on August 2, 1870, by Elder Tobias Unruh.

In 1872 she was united in marriage with David Redger, with whom she shared nearly 60 years of joy and sorrow. In 1874, she with her husband and family came to America and lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for two and a half years. They then moved to Pawnee Rock, Barton county, Kansas, and after seven years moved to Marion county, Kansas, near Durham, where she and her husband were among the first organizers of the Friedenstal Mennonite church, of which she was a faithful member until her death.

To this union six sons and three daughters were born. One daughter preceded her in death. Her husband also preceded her in death on August 14, 1932, which left her a widow for 12 years, 2 months and 25 days.

She had been in fairly good health, except the last three weeks before her death, during which she suffered severely. The final cause of her death was arterio sclerosis.

She leaves to mourn her departure, six sons, two daughters, four daughters-in-law, and two sons-in-law. Her children are Henry of Gridley, California, Jonas of Tyron, Oklahoma; Sam and Mrs. Mary Schmidt of Greensburg, Kansas; Abraham, Lou and Neal and Mrs. Elizabeth Koehn of Durham, Kansas. Also one brother, one sister, 22 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends mourn her death but not as such that have no hope for we know she went to her heavenly home.

The funeral services were held October 12, 1944, in the Friedenstal Mennonite church near Tampa, Kansas. Rev. Walter Regier gave a short sermon and read the English obituray [sic] and at the home Rev. John H. Epp from the Kingman church had a short German sermon. He also read the German obituray [sic] at the church and had an English sermon. He used the text, "Lord teach us to number our days." He admonished the congregation to lead a real Christian life. The men's choir sang several very fitting numbers. The body was taken to the Friedenstal cemetery and after the choir sang and remarks were made by Rev. Regier, Rev. Epp led in prayer and the body was laid to rest.

Our Mother

Death has robbed us of our mother
Whom we loved and cherished dear;
It was mother, yes dear mother;
Can we help but shed a tear?

Yes, we miss her. Oh! we miss her!
When we see her vacant chair!
And how sad the room without her,
For there is no mother there.

Oft we think we hear her coming
Coming through the open door.
Then we tearfully remember,
Mother will come back no more.

Mother's work on earth is ended,
Faithful the cross she bore
Now her loving soul's ascended
Over to fair Canaan's shore.

Farewell, dear mother, your labors are o'er.
Your willing hands will toil no more;
Peaceful be thy slumber, thy rest be sweet,
Our circle is broken, our home incomplete.