Thierstein, Margarethe Bergmann (1870-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Feb 6 p. 14

Birth date: 1870 Apr 20, Prussia
Date of Death: 1945 January 10, Kansas

text of obituary:

Mutter Margarethe Thierstein, drittes Kind von Jakob und Justina Bergmann, ward am 20. April 1870 in Leske bei Marienburg, Westpreussen geboren und genoß da die christliche Erziehung in der Familie. 1879 kamen die Eltern mit 5 Töchtern nach Whitewater, Kansas, wo die christliche Lehre und das Vorbild der Eltern weiterbestand, was die Heimgerufene später oft betonte. Das Volksschulhaus stand auf der Eltern Farm und Margarethe genoß, was damals geboten wurde. In der Furcht des Herrn erzogen und in Katechismus von Aelt. Leonhard Sudermann unterrichtet, nahm sie den Heiland an und ward am 30. Mai. 1887 getauft und Glied der Emmaus Mennonitengemeinde, wo sie treues Glied blieb. Am 10. Nov. 1899 heiratete sie Christian Thierstein, mit dem sie fast 47 Jahre Freud und Leid teilte. Es wurden ihnen zwei Söhne geschenkt: Christian B. und Samuel T. Später schloß sich eine Tochter Leona auf einige Jahre dem Familienkreis an. Die Mutter liebte ihre Kinder und war stets bemüht um ihr physisches und geistliches Wohl. Große Freude bereitete es ihr, zu sehen wie die Kinder in der Furcht des Herrn aufwuchsen. Auch ihre Großkinder waren ihr ans Herz geknüpft und sie liebte es ihnen biblische Geschichten zu erzählen. In dem fünften Jahrzehnt ihres Lebens mußte sie sich 3 schweren Operationen unterziehen, die durch Gottes Gnade erfolgreich verliefen. Später erfreute sie sich guter Gesundheit. 1923 war es dem Elternpaare vergönnt die Silberhochzeit zu feiern und zugleich auch in ein neues Heim einzuziehen. Diese Erfahrung löste große Freude ein und erinnerten an die vielen Segnungen Gottes. Am 3. Jan. 1942 zogen sie in ihr bequemes Heim in Brainerd, und es verging kaum ein Tag, wo nicht daran erinnert wurde wie sie durch Gottes Güte mit Segnungen begünstigt wurden. Am 10. Jan. 1945 morgens fand man die Mutter in ihrem Bette wie sanft schlummernd, aber ihr Geist war entflohen zu Gott, der ihn gab. Sie hatte mehrere Nächte allein daheim zugebracht, da ihre Gatte im Hospital war. Die Bibel und das S. S. Heft lagen auf dem Tisch, andeutend, daß sie wie üblich ehe sie sich zur Ruhe legte, mit ihrem Herrn Verkehr gepflegt hatte. wie das ihr Brauch war. Dem Herrn anbefohlen, legte sie sich um so durch Gnade hinüberzuschlummern zu ihrem Heiland. So wurde ihr oft geäußerter Wunsch erfüllt. Wiewohl die Angehörigen um sie trauern, so ist es doch ein mildernder Trost zu wissen, daß sie nun vollen Anteil hat an der unaussprechlichen Freude derer, die ihre Kleider gewaschen haben im Blute des Lammes, welches ausgegossen ward für alle die an Ihn glauben. — Es trauern um ihr rasches Scheiden ihr Gatte, 2 Söhne, 1 Tocher, 2 Schwiegertöchter, ein Tochtermann, 8 Enkel, 1 Schwester und viele Freunde. Sie wurde 74 J. 8 M. und 20 Tage alt. Selig sind die von nun an im Herrn sterben. Auf der Begräbnisfeier dienten die Prediger, J. E. Entz und Theo. Roth im Hause, J. C. Kaufman und H. J. Dyck in der Kirche, und B. Harder am Grab.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jan 18 p. 5

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— A number of relatives and friends from here attended the funeral of Mrs. Christ Thiehstein [sic Thierstein] at the Emmaus church near Whitewater on Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Thierstein have been living in Brainard for several years, she was, however, at home alone at the time of her death. Her husband was a patient at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital, where he had submitted to an operation and she had yet visited him here in Newton on Tuesday, January 9. As far as is known she had gone to bed in her usual health that same evening. On the morning of January 10 her lifeless body was found in bed, death having evidently been caused by heart attack in her sleep during the night. She was 74 years of age. Her grief-stricken husband was able to leave the hospital long enough to attend the funeral last Monday. The service at the home was conducted by Rev. J. E. Entz and Rev. Ted Roth, while at the church her pastor, Rev. J. C. Kaufman, and Rev. H. J. Dyck were in charge. Rev. B. W. Harder officiated at the committal service at the cemetery. Her husband, two sons, Christian Thierstein, Jr. and Dr. Samuel Thierstein and one daughter, Leona, survive. A detailed obituary is to appear in the Review next week.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Feb 22 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. MARGARETHE THEIRSTEIN

My beloved wife, our dear mother and grandmother, Margarethe Thierstein, nee Bergmann, was born April 20, 1870, in Leske near Marienburg, West Prussia. She was the third child of Jacob and Justine Bergmann. Here she enjoyed the Christian influence of her parents and the fellowship of her family. In 1879 her parents immigrated to the United States, with their five daughters, where more freedom of their faith was granted.

They established their home near Whitewater, Kansas. Here the Christian teachings and the example of her parents continued. In her later life she frequently mentioned and greatly appreciated these teachings of her childhood and youth. She received the schooling that was available in those pioneer days, in the Holden school house located on her parents' farm.

Being reared in the fear of the Lord and having received catechetical instruction by Elder Leonhard Suderman, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour and on May 30, 1887, was baptised upon confession of her faith and received as a member into the Emmaus Mennonite church. Here she remained a faithful and active member, teaching a Sunday School class until the time of her death.

On Nov. 10, 1898, we were united in marriage. For nearly 47 years she has been a loving and faithful companion, sharing both joys and sorrows. Two sons were born to this union: Christina B. and Samuel T. Later a daughter Leona joined the family circle for a few years. Mother loved her children and constantly endeavored to help provide for their spiritual and physical welfare. It was a great source of joy to her to know that her children grew up in the fear of the Lord. Her grandchildren were also close to her heart and she had a gift of telling Bible stories to them.

In the fifth decade of her life it was necessary to have three major operations, which by human skill and the grace of God were successful. In the later years of her life she has enjoyed good health.

In 1923 it was our privilege to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary and at the same time move into a new home. This experience afforded her joy, as the blessings of the Lord were recounted. Jan. 2, 1942, we moved into our small though comfortable home in Brainerd. Scarcely a day passed by but that one of us would mention the specially favored situation we were in by the grace of God.

On the morning of Jan. 10, 1945, she was found in her bed neatly covered, but her spirit had gone to be with the Lord. She had been spending the nights alone during my stay at the hospital. The Bible and the Sunday School quarterly were on the living room table, indicating that she had had communion with her Lord before going to bed, as was her usual custom. Committing herself into God's hand she evidently fell quietly asleep to be transported into glorious beyond by the redeeming grace of Jesus her Saviour. She had often expressed the wish that she might pass away in this manner.

We are greatly bereaved over her departure, but we rejoice in the assurance we have that she is receiving the full joy of those who ave washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb which was shed for whomsoever believeth on Him.

She leaves to mourn her sudden departure her husband, two sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, eight grandchildren, one sister and a host of relatives and friends. One grandchild and three sisters preceded her in death. She reached the age of 74 years, 8 months and 20 days. Blessed are they that die in the Lord henceforth.

Mother is Resting Now

Resting now, life's voyage o'er
Pain and grief to know no more;
Safely on the heavenly shore
Resting now, resting now.

Resting now, what bliss to be
From all earthly sorrow free;
Sin and wrong no more to see
Resting now, resting now.

Resting now, with Christ at home,
Never more for Him to roam;
Gone for aye earth's darkening gloom,
Resting now, resting now.
Sweetly resting now.

— Chris Thierstein

Brief services at the home were conducted by Rev. J. E. Entz and Rev. Ted Roth, while Rev. J. C. Kaufman, pastor of the departed, and Rev. H. J. Dyck were charge of funeral services at the church. Rev. B. W. harder conducted the committal service at the grave. A mixed octet sang at the home and at the church, while a men's octet rendered special music at the graveside.

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Jan 23 p. 10

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Leske, Gross Werder, Prussia
Daughter of Jacob and Justine (Fast) Bergmann
Married Christian Thierstein 1898 November 10, Butler Co., Kansas
Homemaker

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:

Sources:
Grandma Online profile 310616
Find A Grave 19191679