Matthies, Helena Banman (1890-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Jul 15 p. 5

Birth date: 1890 July 13, Kansas
Death date: 1954 June 25, Idaho

text of obituary:

Former Ks. Resident Dies in Idaho

Aberdeen, Idaho. — Mrs. Ben H. Matthies, 63, passed away here Friday afternoon, June 25, and funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church Monday afternoon, June 28, with Rev. H. N. Harder in charge.

Mrs. Matthies was born at Lehigh, Kansas, her parents being Mr. and Mrs. Henry Banman. Baptized by Rev. Jacob Toews May 19, 1907, she became a member of the First Mennonite church in Newton. Here she was also married to Bernhard Matthies on Dec. 29, 1910.

The couple moved to Idaho in 1911 and homesteaded at Aberdeen. They have lived in Aberdeen since 1938. The husband and three children survive.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Aug 5 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. B. H. MATTHIES

Lena Banman Matthies, our mother, has now passed through both life and death. Her hopes and prayers to be relieved from the encumbrances of a sick body were realized when God called her to her eternal home Friday, June 25, 1954, at 2:30 o’clock in the afternoon, bringing the span of her life to 63 years, 11 months, and 12 days.

She was born July 13, 1890, in Lehigh, Kansas to Henry and Maria Banman. On May 19, 1907 she was baptized by Elder Jacob Toews in the First Mennonite church of Newton, Kansas. On Dec. 29, 1910, she was married to Bernhard H. Matthies.

Following her marriage she accompanied her young husband to Aberdeen, Idaho, where she resided with her husband until her departure. She became the loving mother of four children: Harold [sic Waldo Herman] Matthies of Missoula, Mont.; Harold, who passed away in 1921 at the age of nine years; Ellen, Mrs. Walter Dirks; and Richard of Aberdeen. There are seven grandchildren. Besides her immediate family she is survived by three brothers: Ted of Aberdeen, Henry of Bakersfield, Calif, and Adolph of Boise, Idaho.

She was a faithful wife and a good and loving mother and grandmother. Her brothers had in Mrs. Matthies a devoted and loving sister. Her gentle spirit and her genuine concern for her loved ones and friends won her many good and faithful friends. She was not only a good wife and mother, but also a faithful member of our church. In her younger years she often sang in the church choir, and rendered special music at the church services. She loved to sing and it can be said that she served and honored her God and Creator with the talent of singing He had given her.

Whenever possible she attended Sunday School, as frequently as possible the prayer services, and whenever the assumed a responsibility in the church or in the home she did it conscientiously and to the best of her ability. With equal truthfulness it can be said she had a spiritual concern for her family and her brothers and loved ones. She remembered them in prayer and whenever an opportunity was given her she would witness to them to that effect. Her desire was that none might miss the gift of eternal life God gives to all who accept Christ as their Savior. She lived to see things grow. Garden and flowers brought her much joy and thrilled her heart.

On October 1, 1911, she became a member of the First Mennonite church of Aberdeen, and she remained a faithful member until her death. Now she is at rest. God grant her the rest and everlasting peace. Rev. 14:13.

Funeral services were conducted at the First Mennonite church of Aberdeen on June 28 at 2:00 p.m., Rev. H. N. Harder officiating.

The Mennonite obituary: 1954 Aug 31 p. 544

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Newton, Kansas
Daughter of Heinrich H. and Maria (Boese) Banman
Married Bernhard Herman Matthies 1910 December 29, Newton, Kansas

Bethel alumni note:
Bethel Academy student 1906-07, 1908-09

Photo holdings:
Individual -- c. 1908, Newton, Kansas
See Bernhard Matthies (1889-1974) for photo with husband

Sources:
Franz Banman Gen. p. 21
Alumni card
Grandma Profile #88204
Find A Grave 57001257: "Lena Helen Matthies"