Heidebrecht, Maria M. Gaeddert (1863-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Aug 9 p. 6

Birth date: 1863 Dec 23

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Marie Heidebrecht, pioneer immigrant from Russia and one of the early-day Mennonite settlers at Buhler, died last Friday at the Bethesda Hospital in Goessel. Funeral services were held Tuesday forenoon at the Hoffnungsau church near Inman. Mrs. Heidebrecht was born in Russia in 1864 and came to this country at the age of 11. her husband, P. G. Heidebrecht of Newton is one of seven surviving children. She also leaves grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Aug 23 p. 8

text of obituary:

MARIA M. HEIDEBRECHT

Maria M. Heidebrecht, the oldest daughter of Rev. Dietrich and Maria Gaeddert, was born in South Russia in the village of Furerstenwerder [sic Fuerstenwerder] on eDc. [sic] 23, 1863. She came to America with her parents in the migration of 1874 and settled in Reno County, Kansas, a few miles east of Buhler. Here she grew to womanhood and shared the ups and downs of pioneer life. Here also, she received her limited education,. Her mother died in 1878, and she had to help with the family work. Although her general education was very limited, many admired her knowledge of Bible verses and religious songs that she had memorized as a girl.

On Sept. 16, 1883, she was baptized by her father and accepted as a member in the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church of which her father was the founder. She loved her church and remained a faithful member of this church until her death, an enviable span of nearly 73 years.

She united in marriage with Peter G. Heidebrecht on March 11, 1884. He preceded her in death Feb. 29, 1940. They were permitted to share joys and sorrows for nearly 56 years. Their marriage was blessed with seven children who all survive. They are John J. and wife, Margaret, of McPherson; Dietrich M. and wife, Agatha, of Dallas, Oregon; Jacob A. and wife, Anna, of Newton; Lizzie and husband Henry A. Woelk, of Goessel; Paul W. and wife, Lena, of McPherson; Cornelius O. and wife, Lizzie of Inman; Gustav D. and wife, Helen of Inman; and a nephew, John O. and wife Annie, of Sedgwick, who was reared in the home and whom she loved as her own child. Also surviving are 26 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and two sisters, Mrs. Justina Unruh of Goessel, and Mrs. Anna Buller of Buhler.

Through her father's second marriage she is survived by six brothers, Peter D., Dietrich M., Abraham A., Henry B., John H., and Leonard F. and five sisters, Mrs. Helena Reimer, Katherine Gaeddert, Mrs. Sarah Matthies, Mrs. Rosina Bartel, and Mrs. Lydia Linscheid. She also leaves a host of relatives and friends.

For three years after the death of father she stayed at the homes of her daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Woelk, and her son, Dietrich M. She enjoyed staying with her children, but naturally their interests and social life were different and upon her own request she entered the Home for Aged at Goessel, Kansas. Here she could associate with friends of her own age and she enjoyed it very much. Her cheerful disposition was an inspiration and encouragement to those who cared for her and also to those who visited her. As long as she was able she enjoyed to go out and visit her children, relatives and friends.

On Oct. 30, 1952, she fell and broke her hip and entered the Bethesda Hospital of Goessel. She then was an invalid and was bedfast until her death. Here she also received very good care, and because of her cheerful and optimistic disposition the doctors and nurses loved her. She endured great pain but she never complained or asked for any special care.

In April of this year her health began to fail very noticeably and she gradually became weaker. Her departure from this life on Aug. 3, 1956, at 4:05 p. m. was most impressive. A few minutes before she crossed the Divide she raised her hands and said, "Now Heaven has opened," and recited a few verses of one of her favorite German songs in which it says, "Finally, He gently comes and takes us by the hand, and guides us home into the Promised Land." She then passed away without any struggle to be with her Creator, having reached the age of 92 years, seven months, and eleven days.

Mother will always be remembered for her cheerful disposition and for her optimistic outlook of life. Many will remember her for her hospitality. She loved life, but the last few years she often said that she longed to see her Saviour. She enjoyed the family gatherings and we shall never forget how she admonished us to live a life that would end in eternal glory.

Mother now sees what she has believed. She was a loving mother and we will miss her, but we do not begrudge her well deserved rest. Her memory will linger on and we all hope to meet again.

The memorial service was conducted by Rev. Albert M. Gaeddert, Rev. A. J. Dyck, and Rev. C. H. Voth on Tuesday morning, August 7, 1956 at 9:30 o'clock, from the Hoffnungsau Church. Music was given by a mixed octet with Miss Rosalie Voth at the organ. Her resting place, the Hoffnungsau Cemetery. — The Children.