Eicher, Beth Ann (1948-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jun 4 p. 6

Birth date: 1948 Feb 17

text of obituary:

. . .

— Five-year-old Beth Ann Eicher, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Norman Eicher of Burns, passed away at St. Francis hospital in Wichita Saturday night as result of a brain infection which followed chicken pox. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Eden Mennonite church near Burns, of which Rev. Eicher is pastor. Officiating ministers were Harry D. Wenger, Dennis Smith and Allen Koehn. The child is survived by the parents, three sisters and four brothers, and the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Eicher of Atmore, Ala. and Frank E. Brown of North Star, Mich.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jun 18 p. 9

text of obituary:

BETH ANN EICHER

Beth Ann, daughter of Rev. Norman and Marjorie Eicher, was born at the Holmes Memorial hospital in Foley, Alabama on February 17, 1948, and passed away on May 30, 1953 in the St. Francis hospital in Wichita, Kansas, at the tender age of five years, three months and 13 days. It is believed that her death was caused by a brain infection.

At the age of three and a half months she with her parents came to the Burns community where she resided until the time of her death.

Their daughter was a happy, healthy child until March 14, when she became sick with the chickenpox. She did not fully recover, which caused her parents great concern. On May 19 she was admitted to the Bethesda hospital. After spending six days there, sufficient improvement was shown so that she was dismissed from the hospital and was at home for four days. During this time, her condition became worse and she was again taken to Goessel for hospitalization where it was advised to take her immediately to a nerve and brain specialist. After consulting a specialist at Halstead, she was taken to the St. Francis hospital on his advice for surgery. She was admitted to St. Francis hospital at 12:00 a.m. and after examination there, immediate surgery was advised, but because of Memorial Day, the necessary help was not available. Surgery was then postponed until 9:00 o’clock Sunday morning, but before an operation could be performed, it pleased the Lord to relieve her of all suffering and she quietly fell asleep at 5:30 Saturday afternoon.

During her short lifetime, she was a cheerful contented child, taking special interest in Sunday school work and singing. Often during her sickness she would ask how soon she would be able to attend Sunday school again. She enjoyed the outdoors and things of nature, especially so this Spring.

Beth Ann’s kind and loving disposition will long be remembered. We are glad God gave us this treasure to enjoy for only a few short years and it is only right that we give her back to him. We humbly say, “Thy Will Be Done."

She leaves to mourn her early departure her deeply bereaved parents; three sisters, Lavonne, Louise and Norma; four brothers, Maurice, Allen, Ervin, and Lawrence, all of the home. Her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Eicher of Walnut Hill, Florida, and Frank E. Brown of North Star, Michigan, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday afternoon, June 3, 1953, from the Eden Mennonite church of Burns, Kansas. Conducting the services were Rev. Frank H. Wenger, Rev. Dennis Smith and Rev. Alvin Koehn. The church choir sang “Nearer My God To Thee," “God's Way Is Best," “We’re Going Home Tomorrow," “Where The Roses Never Fade," "Asleep In Jesus,” "As The Life of a Flower” and “Sleep, Little One Sleep.” She was tenderly laid to rest in the Eden church cemetery with the directors of the Kaufman Funeral Home of Halstead in charge of funeral arrangements. Six little girls were casket bearers: Doreen Smith, Marjorie Koehn, Ethel Koehn, Verna Koehn, Linda Wedel and Vada Koehn. — The Parents.