Wedell, Ormand (1907-1933)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1933 Jul 18 p. 14

Birth date: 1907 Sep 25

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1933 Jul 5 p. 4

text of obituary:

LOCAL

. . .

— Reports were received here early this week of the death of Ormand Wedell of north of Moundridge, who died last Sunday from injuries received as a train crashed into his car. The death-bringing accident happened last Thursday as Mr. Wedell and Gilmer [sic Gilmore] Dirks of Moundridge were driving to Hutchinson in Mr. Wedell's Buick. As they were about to cross the Rock Island tracks at Medora they suddenly noticed the approaching train and Mr. Wedell quickly turned the car more or less parallel with the tracks to avoid a collision. The engine of the train, however, hit the car on the rear and carried it along for some distance. The side of the car on which Mr. Dirks was seated was damaged least and he therefore escaped serious injury. Funeral services for Mr. Wedell will be held at the Emmanuel church north of Moundridge this afternoon. He was 25 years old, the son of Mrs. P. C. Wedel.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1933 Jul 12 p. 2

text of obituary:

Ormand Wedell.

Ormand Wedell, son of Peter C. and Helena Wedel, was born Sept. 25, 1907, in McPherson county, Kansas. He was the youngest of sixteen children, two of whom preceded him in death. He was reared as a child by his parents until he was eight years of age when his father passed away, and after that he had only his mother with whom he has always had his home.

On July 1, 1923, he was baptized by Rev. H. Banman, then Elder of the Alexanderwohl church, and became a member of the Emmanuel church.

He received his grade school education in the district school near his home. He then attended the Moundridge high school for four years. After his high school graduation he attended the Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia.

Besides his school work he worked on his dear mother's farm, where especially during this year's harvest he found a great deal of joy and satisfaction. he was a young man of an unusual amount of ambition. On Thursday afternoon, June 29, he drove to Hutchinson for repairs for his tractor and as he was near the railroad track at Medora he noticed the train very close. He swung to the side but the engine caught the left side of his car and dragged him and his friend, Gilmore Dirks, for almost a quarter of a mile before the train was halted. The left side of his car was completely demolished and Ormand was fatally injured. He was taken to the Grace Hospital at Hutchinson, where an operation was performed Saturday morning which revealed that he could not live. He died Sunday evening at about six o'clock.

He leaves to mourn his early departure, his beloved mother, four brothers and nine sisters, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, July 5, at the Emmanuel church. At one o'clock Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff conducted brief services at the home, and at two o'clock on the church ground, where a large tent had been erected. Rev. J. H. Epp of Hillsboro opened the services with Scripture and prayer. Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff preached a sermon in German, and Rev. Phil. A. Wedel one in English. The Bethel College men's quartet of 1932 and one from the Eden church furnished music. Rev. Epp conducted the services at the cemetery. This was one of the largest funeral services ever held at this church.