Wedel, Frances Ida Ratzlaff (1897-1934)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1934 Apr 3 p. 15

Birth date: 1897 Aug 26

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1934 Mar 28 p. 2

text of obituary:

Mrs. Ben Wedel

Francis [sic Frances] Ida, daughter of Henry and Katherine Ratzlaff, was born on August 26, 1897, in McPherson County, Kansas, and received her training in the schools of McPherson County and then later also of Reno County, Kansas. On June 10, 1912, she was baptized on the confession of her faith by Rev. J. J. Flickinger, and received into the Mennonite Church at Pretty Prairie.

On April 23, 1922, she gave her hand in marriage to her now deeply bereaved husband, Ben Wedel, and they were permitted to share joys and sorrows together for 12 years. This union was blessed with three children.

She leaves to treasure her memory, her deeply bereaved husband and three children: Challas Marion and Florence; also, four step-children: Willard, Lloyd, Walter, and Leona, to whom she has become a mother.

She died Friday morning, March 16. She reached the age of 36 years, 6 months and 20 days. Her illness was of brief duration.

At the funeral services held at the Pretty Prairie Mennonite church Rev. Christ Voran spoke in German with John 14: 1, 2 as his text, emphasizing the fact that our life is not in the hands of a blind fate, but that we have a God and a Savior who holds us in his hands. Rev. S. M. Musselman preached in the English language on John 11, 25-26. He pointed out that even though we many not understand God’s ways now, some day we will understand that they were for our best.