Waltner, Katie Schrag (1873-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jul 5 p. 5

Birth date: 1873

text of obituary:

Pioneer Settlers Called by Death

Marion, S. D. — Two pioneer Mennonite settlers of the Childstown Township area south of Marion passed away recently.

Mrs. Katie Waltner, 82, widow of Jonathan Waltner, died June 18 at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. Born in Wolhynien, Russia, she studied in Austria and came to this community with her parents in 1891. She and her husband were charter members of the Salem Mennonite Church near Freeman, where the funeral services were held.

On June 23 Mrs. Anna Tieszen, 87, widow of Jacob P. Tieszen, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Henry Tiahrt in Marion. She was born in Alexanderwohl, South Russia, and came here as a child. funeral services were conducted at the Bethesda Mennonite church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jul 12 p. 10

text of obituary:

MRS. KATIE WALTNER

Mrs. Katie Waltner, nee Schrag, daughter of Jacob and Frances Schrag, was born July 14, 1873 in Edwardsdorf, Welhynhien, Russia. She was well educated, having had a private tutor until the age of nine years. She then attended a school for girls in Austria for three years. Her higher education was continued again with a private tutor. She could speak five languages fluently. Since the family did not live in a Mennonite community, she was sent to Lemberg to study catechism under Mennonite Elder Mueller, where she was baptized upon her confession of faith in her Lord on May 20, 1889.

On Sept. 9, 1891, she immigrated to America with her parents, brothers and sisters, because their nonresistant stand was not recognized in Russia. They settled in Childstown township, Turner County, South Dakota.

On April 26, 1894, she was united in holy matrimony with Jonathan Waltner by Rev. Christian Kaufman. When the Salem Mennonite church was organized, they became charter members and remained faithful members to the end. the Lord blessed their union with five children, Ella, Arnold, Lillie, Clara, and Harvey. Mr. Waltner died in 1925 and since then she made her home with her daughter Ella.

In March 1921, she was operated for gall stones. After this operation, a hernia developed. She also suffered from diabetes for 24 years. Those who knew her well and loved her admired her patience and cheerfulness in spite of her many afflictions and pain. When she was unable to do hard physical labor, she turned to knitting and crocheting as a hobby. Her beautiful lace work was in great demand and some of her work can be found in most states of the Union.

In May, 1955, she developed heart trouble and in June suffered a blood clot in her leg which left her bedfast until her death. At Christmas time, she again had a light stroke. She thoroughly enjoyed visits from her many friends and relatives and organizations. during this time she was cared for by her daughters in their homes until she became seriously ill Saturday evening, June 2, and was taken to Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, where she was operated on June 3 for obstruction of the bowels. She suffered a stroke the same evening. She passed away at 2:30 p. m. on June 18 to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 82 years, 11 months and four days.

She leaves to mourn her passing, four children, Ella (Mrs. Ben P. Schrag), Arnold, Lillie (Mrs. Elias H. Brockmueller), Clara, (Mrs. John A. Wipf), three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. J. D. Graber, and many other relatives and a host of friends. Her husband and one son preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, June 21, at the Walters Funeral Home in Freeman and at the Salem Mennonite church. Rev. J. Herbert Fretz presided. Music was furnished by the men's chorus of the church with Mrs. Orlando Goering at the organ. Pallbearers were six of the grandsons. Gordon Brockmueller, Virgil K. Schrag, Kermit Schrag, Kenneth Waltner, Orville Wipf and Willis Wipf. Interment was in the Salem Church Cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1956 Jul 10 p. 440