Smith, Lena Dalores (1928-1935)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 Sep 11 p. 2

Birth date: 1928 Jun 16

text of obituary:

Lena Dalores Smith

Lena Dalores, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Smith, Douglas, Butler County, Kansas, was born June 16, 1928, near Tampa, Kansas, and died on Wednesday afternoon, September 4, 1935, in the hospital at Winfield, Kansas, at the age of 7 years, 2 months, and 14 days.

During her short sojourn here in this world, she never knew the real joy and bliss of this life. She was helpless and could not run and play like other children can, but had to spend most of her time in bed, because she was an invalid all of her life. This meant much extra attention to her, especially for her Mother, but she was quiet and patient in her helplessness and will be greatly missed by all. She also suffered from anemia and was very sick during her last days.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her grieved parents, 2 sisters, 1 brother, 1 grandmother, and 1 grandfather, also a number of uncles and aunts and other more distant relatives. One brother in infancy preceded her in death to that heavenly home where she now too has gone, but where she is not sick or helpless anymore. She is now free from all sin, sickness and pain, and is in everlasting joy and peace with Jesus her Redeemer.

We look after her with tearful eye, saying:

O so, that was no dying,
'Twas Triumph and Joy;
Therefore we'll not detain her!
No, we do not wish her back!
She just went on before us,
We still are remaining here;
'Twill only be a little while
And then, we hope to meet again!

— The bereaved parents.

The funeral services were held at the Friedenstal church, near Tampa, Kansas, where Rev. H. H. Schmidt, Elder of the congregation, and rev. J. J. Ratzlaff from Newton, Kansas, spoke words of comfort to a well filled house of mourners. She was buried at the side of her younger brother's grave in the cemetery one mile south and one-half west of the Friedenstal church, of which her parents are members.