Strauß, Peter J. (1881-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Aug 21 p. 14

Birth date: 1881 Feb 16

text of obituary:

Peter J. Strauß, Sohn von Jakob und Anna Graber Strauß, ward am 16. Febr. 1881 in McPherson County, Kansas geboren und genoß da seine Volksschulbildung. Viel Schweres brachte ihm die Jugend. Als er nur 2 Jahre alt war starb die Mutter. Der Vater und ältere Geschwister versorgten ihn bis er 6 Jahre alt war und in Barbara Kaufman ein zweite Mutter fand. Am 16. Juni 1895 ward er auf den Glauben getauft und Glied der Hoffnungsfeld Gemeinde wo er Glied blieb. Am 3. Nov. 1910 heiratete er Anna B. Flickner, getraut von Aelt. N. R. Kaufman, und sie machten ihr Heim 5 M. südwestlich von Moundridge, wo ihnen 4 Söhne und 4 Töchter geboren wurden. Mutter, 2 Töchter und 1 Großkind sind gestorben. Besonders trauerte er über Mutters Scheiden am 3. Jan. 1943 und Ruths Tod letztes Jahr an seinem Geburtstag. Es machte ihn sehr einsam fühlen, doch trug er die Last geduldig. Er hat immer schwer gearbeitet und erfreute sich guter Gesundheit bis am 9. Juli frühmorgens das Haus abbrannte, wodurch er Todeswunden erlitt und am 11. Juli 1945 morgens im Halstead Hospital im Alter von 64 J. 4 M. und 25 Tagen entschlief. Es trauern um ihn: Melvin, daheim Lorena und Leonard Graber, Pretty Prairie; Selma und Rudy Klassen, Newton; Orlando u. Marie Doerksen Strauß, Buhler; 8 Enkel; die schwerkranke Schwiegermutter, Frau B. A. Flickner; 1 Schwester, Frau Freni Schrag, Pretty Prairie; 1 Bruder, Jakob Strauß und viele Freunde. Bei der Begräbnisfeier am 13. Juli in der Eden Kirche dienten die Prediger Walter Gering und Phil. A. Wedel.

Nun nahm Er seine Hände und führte sie.
Er sprach: Du bist am Ende, nun bin Ich hie.
Du wollt’st allein nicht gehen, nicht einen Schritt;
Ich hab erhört dein Flehen und nahm dich mit.
In Meine Gnade hüllte Ich sanft dich ein;
Dein Sehnen all ich stille: Du bist daheim.
Du lerntest still ertragen. Nun reut’s dich nicht.
Ruh sanft im sel’gen Schauen — im ew’gen Licht!

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jul 19 p. 1

text of obituary:

Burns Suffered Last Week Fatal To Moundridge Farmer

PETER J. STRAUSZ HOME COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE MONDAY, JULY 9

Moundridge, Kansas. Funeral services for Peter J. Strausz, 64, well known farmer and life-long resident of the community five miles southwest of town, were held at the Eden church Friday afternoon, July 13. Mr. Strausz died Tuesday, July 10 in the Halstead Hospital as result of complications from burns he received when his large, modern farm home was completely burned to the ground at around 6:00 o’clock on the morning of the previous day. Contents of the home also were a total loss.

His wife having passed away some years ago, Mr. Strausz and son Melvin were living alone at the home. As was his custom in the busy harvest season, he got up early, put breakfast on the stove and went to bring the stock to the barn from the pasture. Upon looking back he noticed smoke coming out of the house, quickly ran home and rushed into the smoke-filled room to extinguish the flames. He also called to his son, who was asleep in an upstairs room, that the house was afire.

It is believed that in his excitement and because of the dense smoke in the building, he had difficulty in finding his way out again and was badly burned in the attempt. His clothing was till on fire when he got out, the burns being most severe on his arms, face and chest. Neighbors who later came to the scene, however found him carrying water in spite of his serious injuries and almost complete exhaustion. Melvin was helped down from the second story by means of a ladder and escaped unharmed.

Unfortunately efforts of neighbors to call for help were frustrated because of telephone lines being out of order. Muddy roads also delayed farmers on the way.

Funeral services on Friday were conducted by Rev. Walter Gering at the home of Mr. Strausz's aged mother-in-law, Mrs. B. A. Flickner, who at the timr was also at the point of death, and at the Eden church by Rev. Gering and Rev. Phil. A. Wedel, pastor of the Alexanderwohl church, Goessel.

Surviving are Melvin at the home, and the following married children and their families: Orlando, Buhler; Mrs. Lorena Graber, Pretty Prairie, and Mrs. Selma Klassen, Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jul 19 p. 5

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Mr. and Mrs. Christ B. Goering and Mrs. Sam J. Goering of North Newton were among the relatives and friends from this community who attended the funeral of Peter J. Strausz at the Eden church northwest of Moundridge last Friday afternoon. Mr. Strausz died Tuesday morning, July 10, at the Halstead Hospital as a result of serious burns received when his large farm home five and a quarter miles southwest of Moundridge was completely destroyed by fire on the previous day. Because of severe burns the casket was not opened at the church during the services held at the church.