Riesen, Katharina Dyck (1881-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Feb 16 p. 6

Birth date: 1881

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. Katherine Dyck Riesen, 79, were held at the Brudertal church near Hillsboro on Tuesday, only 14 days after services were conducted at the same church for her husband, Fred B. Riesen, 88. Mr. Riesen died Jan. 29 after a long illness, and his wife became ill the day of his funeral and was a patient at the Hillsboro hospital until her passing on Feb. 9. They had lived in Hillsboro since retiring from the farm. Mr. Riesen was born in Russia and came to America in 1874, while Mrs. Riesen was born near Goessel. Arthur Riesen of Newton is one of five surviving sons.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Mar 9 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. F. B. RIESEN

Katharina Dyck Riesen, daughter of Peter and Maria (Reimer) Dyck, was born Oct 31, 1881, near Goessel, Kan. She was the second youngest of eight brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded her in death.

She received her elementary education at the Steinbach school. She also took catechism at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church under the instruction of Elder Peter Balzer, and upon her confession of faith, was baptized and received into the membership of the Alexanderwohl church on May 21, 1899.

At the age of seven years she lost her father through death. The family made their livelihood by serving as custodians of the church. Some time later she received a step-father in Abraham Reimer. This union was soon broken by father's death. Her mother passed away in 1924. She spent her youth helping with the house work in different homes in the community.

On Oct. 3, 1912, she entered holy wedlock with Frederick B. Riesen, and with this marriage she became the mother of five children. To this union were born two sons. This union lasted 48 years, three months, and 27 days.

On Jan. 19, 1913, she transferred her membership to the Brudertal Mennonite Church, whose faithful member she remained until death. Mother gave a good Christian witness through faithful attendance at church services and sewing circle. In later years, as health permitted, she served in the hospital auxiliary. She always enjoyed greatly the radio worship service of the First Mennonite Church and the Faith and Life programs.

After father's funeral, she entered the hospital where she received medical care for 11 days. She entered her Heavenly Home on Feb. 9, reaching the age of 79 years, three months and nine days.

Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, a daughter Martha (Mrs. Ed. H. Unruh), a son Rudolf, and two great grand-children.

She leaves to mourn her passing five sons, Karl and wife Elda of Hillsboro, Orlando and wife Nina of San Leandro, Calif., Arthur and wife Amelia of Newton, Cornelius and wife Edna of Sedgwick, Frederick and wife Margaret of Wichita; 22 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren; two brother-in-law, H. S. Voth of Newton and J. H. Riesen and wife of Watson, Sask.; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. A. J. Klassen of Newton and Mrs. J. J. Klassen of Goessel; a son-in-law, Ed. Unruh of Winton, Calif.; and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Walter Schmidt of Gotebo, Okla. — The Family.