Kliewer, Mary (1899-1971)

Latest revision as of 13:52, 25 April 2023

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Dec 30 p. 3

Birth date: 1899 Jul 9

text of obituary:

Hillsboro, Kan. — Funeral services for Miss Mary Kliewer, 72, former Tabor College librarian and a member of the college staff for 25 years, were held Dec. 22 at the Hillsboro M. B. Church. Rev. Marvin Hein, the pastor, and Rev. A. E. Janzen officiated.

Miss Kliewer died Dec. 20 at the Halstead Hospital where she had recently undergone surgery. She recently undergone surgery. She had been ill for some months and had had two previous surgeries. Following the services here, the body was sent to Henderson, Neb., where a memorial services was held in the Henderson Memorial Chapel, with burial in the M. B. Cemetery there.

A native of the Henderson community, she attended Tabor College Academy and Tabor College, and received the B. A. degree from York College in Nebraska. She taught in public schools in Nebraska, and joined the Tabor staff as librarian in 1946. She received the master's degree in library science at the University of Illinois in 1950. In recent years she was partially retired and served as a readers adviser.

Survivors include one sister, Mrs. John R. Regier of Henderson, and two brothers, H. B. Kliewer of Corn, Okla. and Menno Kliewer of Reedley, Calif.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jan 13 p. 11

text of obituary:

Mary Kliewer, daughter of Peter J. and Susanna Buller Kliewer, was born on July 9, 1899, in Hamilton County near Henderson, Neb. and departed this life on Dec. 20, 1971, in the Halstead (Kansas) Hospital, at the age of 72 years, five months, and 11 days.

She received her elementary education in rural school near the family farm home. After a lapse of several years, due in part to ill health, she continued her education in a nearby high school, but transferred to the Tabor College Academy. She taught school for a number of years and then returned to Tabor College for her collegiate training. After several years of high school teaching she entered York College (Nebraska) and earned her baccalaureate degree from that institution in 1939.

In 1946 she came to Tabor College to assume the position of college librarian. She enjoyed this work very much and gave herself unreservedly to it. In 1949 she was granted a leave of absence to enroll in the University of Illinois School of Library Science, where she earned an M. S. degree in Library Science. She serve as head librarian for a number of years. More recently when her health and physical strength began to wane, she continued serving as reference librarian until shortly prior to her death. She was associated with Tabor College Library for a period of 25 years. She regarded her position as called of God and served in full devotion and loyalty as unto her Lord and Master.

As a young girl she realized her need for salvation and sought redemption at the foot of the cross. Upon her confession of faith in the atoning grace of her Lord and Savior, she was baptized by Elder J. J. Kliewer in 1915 and accepted into the Henderson Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1950 she transferred her membership to the Hillsboro M. B. Church where she retained her membership until her death. She served as Sunday school teacher, and more recently assisted in the work of the church library.

She never was physically strong. She was frequently hospitalized and submitted to surgery a number of times, particularly in her later years. On Dec. 1 she entered Salem Hospital, Hillsboro, but was transferred to the Halstead Hospital where she again submitted to surgery. She passed away peacefully Monday morning, Dec. 20, to be with her Lord and Savior.

She was a person of quiet disposition, devoted and dedicated to the tasks that she felt God had called her to do. She cherished her circle of friends very much. She repeatedly offered encouragement and inspiration to others when she herself was in need of encouragement and spiritual strength. In her last audible prayer she prayed that the will of God should prevail. She has gloriously triumphed and gone to be with her Lord and Redeemer.

Those left to praise God for her life, but to mourn her passing are: one sister, Mrs. Hannah (John R.) Regier and family of Henderson, Neb.; two brother, H. B. Kliewer and family of Hillsboro, and Menno Kliewer and family of Reedley, Calif.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Verna Kliewer and family of Henderson; two aunts, Miss Margaret Buller of Denver, Colo. and Mrs. Sarah Unruh of Reedley. Preceding her in death were her parents and two brothers. — The Family.

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Jan 23 p. 31

text of obituary:

Associated for twenty-five years with Tabor College Library, Mary Kliewer, a native of Henderson, Nebraska, passed away at Halstead, Kansas on December 20, 1971. She was the daughter of Peter J. and Susanna Buller Kliewer and was born on July 9, 1899. She received her elementary education in rural schools near Henderson, went to high school nearby, then to Tabor College Academy and York College in York, Neb. She received an M.S. degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois School of Library Science in 1949. She served as head librarian at Tabor College for many years; later when her strength began to wane she continued as reference librarian.

As a girl she recognized her need for salvation and sought redemption at the foot of the cross. Upon her confession of faith, she was baptized at Henderson by Elder J.J. Kliewer in 1915. In 1950 she transferred her membership to Hillsboro. In addition to her College library work, she was interested in the work of the church, serving as Sunday school teacher and church librarian. Mourning her passing and praising her life are one sister and two brothers, and numerous of her friends and relatives.