Neufeld, Helena Kroeker (1864-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Apr 16 p. 1

Birth date: 1864 Dec 1

text of obituary:

EIGHTY-EIGHT YEAR OLD PIONEER CALLED AWAY IN DEATH

Buhler, Kansas. — Mrs. Helena Neufeld, 88 year old Kansas pioneer, died here April 5, and funeral services were held at the M. B. church on Thursday, April 9.

She is survived by two daughters, six sons, 27 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Apr 23 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. F. F. NEUFELD

Mrs. F. F. Neufeld, nee Helena Kroeker, was born to Johann and Ida (Giesbrecht) Kroeker, in Kontinusfeld, Molotschna, South Russia, on December 1, 1864. Here she received her elementary education and spent her younger years until she moved with her parents to Spat, Crimea.

On November 20, 1884, she entered the holy bonds of matrimony with Franz F. Neufeld. In the spring of 1887 mother, together with father, recognized her lost condition and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour, and was baptized upon the confession of her faith on April 26 of the same year by the Elder David Schellenberg. She was then received into the Mennonite Brethren church in Spat, Crimea.

In August, 1903, our parents migrated to North America, settling in Marion county, near Hillsboro, Kansas, and later moved to Buhler, where she resided until she departed to be with the Lord. Her church membership was then also transferred to the Mennonite Brethren church of Buhler, whose faithful member she remained until her recent home-going.

The union of our parents was blessed with 11 children, 7 sons and 4 daughters. After father and mother had walked together for a period of 54 years, father was taken from her side on June 29, 1938, as he went Home to be with the Lord.

Mother enjoyed fairly good health throughout her life, but had to spend her last four weeks in bed because of a heart ailment. Her soul peacefully departed from its earthly abode to be with her Lord on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953, at 1:05 p. m. having attained the age of 88 years, 4 months, and 4 days.

To us children mother leaves the rich heritage of her many prayers and the indelible impression of how she endured the many trials and temptations throughout her life with confidence in the Lord and comfort from the reading of her beloved Bible. Mother endeavored to point all of her children to the Lord and was much concerned that all would accept Jesus as personal Saviour. Particularly was she concerned during the last few days that the family circle up yonder would be unbroken.

She always manifested a great love for the Lord's House, the fellowship of God's people and a burden for the Lord's work, particularly the mission field. it was a great joy to her heart when her son Herman answered the missionary call to the Commanche [sic] Indians in south Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by our father, Franz F. Neufeld, two daughters, Helen, who passed away in early childhood, and Mary, Mrs. J. L. Adrian, and two grandchildren. She leaves to mourn her recent departure: Six sons: Frank B. Neufeld, Lincoln, Nebr.; Jacob K. Neufeld, Reedley, Calif.; Dietrich J. Neufeld, Buhler, Kans.; Henry F. Neufeld, Buhler, Kans.; Peter J. Neufeld, Buhler, Kans.; Herman J. Neufeld, Indiahoma, Okla. two daughters: Kathryn of the home and Elizabeth, Mrs. H. H. Buller, Buhler, Kansas; one son-in-law, 7 daughters-in-law, 27 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and may other relatives and friends.

We sorrow not as such who have no hope for we know that she is with the Lord, together with father enjoying peace and rest forevermore. — The Bereaved Children.