Wedel, Andreas J. (1860-1931)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1931 Feb 17 p. 14

Birth date: 1860 Nov 21

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1931 Feb 11 p. 3

Andreas J. Wedel, son of Jacob and Katharina Goering Wedel was born on the 21st of November, 1860, in Russia, in the village Kotosufka, in the Polish Province of Wolynia. Here he spent his childhood and from the parental home visited the village schools. In 1875 he came with his parents and their family to America and they settled on a farm often designated as the "Wedel Section", four miles west of Moundridge, Kansas. On this section the deceased brother had his home from that time on until to his death; a period of about 56 years.

In 1876, April 2nd he accepted Chist as his personal Saviour and was baptized upon the confession of his faith and was accepted into the membership of the Hoffnungsfeld Church. Later when the Eden Church was organized he became a member there and to of a quiet nature, nevertheless he was a faithful and active member until he was called away by death.

On the 9th day of march, 1886 he was joined in holy wedlock to Anna Goering, with whom he was permitted to share the joys and sorrows of life for about 10 years. However on May 26, 1896 death took the wife from his side and left him along.

On Dec. 10, 1896, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Goering and they were permitted to share lifes blessings for a little over 34 years. The lord gave them seven children, all of which pay their respects to their beloved father and follow his casket to the grave.

He passed away at the Halstead Hospital on Wednesday morning, January 38 [sic 28], 1931, at the age of 70 years, 2 months and 7 days. He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved wife, 7 children, 4 sons and 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren, 2 brothers, one sister, 3 daughters-in-law, one son-in-law and many other relatives; besides a large circle of friends.

We mourn, but not as those that have no hope. We rest assured we shall meet again for we are persuaded that neigther death nor life . . . nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus oud [sic] Lord."

I cannot say and I will not say
That he is dead he is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into the better land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you, oh you — who so earnesly [sic] yearn
For the oldtime step and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here,
Think of him still the same; I say —
He is not dead, he is just away.