Wiens, Julia Unruh Voth (1874-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jan 26 p. 1

Birth date: 1874

text of obituary:

PIONEER SETTLER IN BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS CALLED AWAY IN DEATH

Montezuma, Kan. — Funeral services were held at the North Mennonite Church here for Mrs. Julia Wiens, 81, who was among the pioneer Mennonite immigrants from Polish Russia. She died Jan. 13 at the home of a daughter, Mrs. George Giesbrecht.

Born Sept 15 1874, at Kunofk, Poland, she came to Barton County, Kansas with her parents in 1878. Her first marriage to Tobias Voth, ended with his death in 1930. In 1937 she was married to Min. H. H. Wiens, who died at the Bethel Home here only about a month ago.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 2 p. 8, 10

MRS. JULIA WIENS

Julia Wiens, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, daughter, of Abraham (Schmidt) Unruh, was born Sept. 15, 1874, at the Kunofk, Volinska, Poland; departed this life Friday Jan. 13, 1956, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Giesbrecht, near Montezuma, Kansas. She has reached the age of 81 years, three months and 28 days.

Upon immigration to America, she and her parents arrived in Philadelphia in May 1878, when she was three. They first settled in Barton County, near Pawnee Rock, Kansas.

Her life was saddened at the age of 12 when she lost her father in a typhoid fever epidemic. At the age of 16 her mother’s life was taken in a train accident, leaving her an orphan. One sister died of sunstroke in Russia. She was the youngest and the last to pass in her family.

Having found remission of her sins in the forgiving merits of her Saviour, she united with the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, being baptized by her brother, Elder Tobias Unruh, March 19, 1899, at Halstead, Kansas. In struggles and temptations she never wavered in her Saviour. she ardently loved her Bible, and never tired of singing and Christian conversation.

She was joined in marriage to Tobias Voth Dec. 12, 1891, sharing joys and sorrows until he died Dec. 28, 1930, having lived together for 39 years. This union was blessed with eight children.

On May 2, 1937, she joined hands in marriage with Min. H. H. Wiens, likewise assuming responsibility for his son Pete at home with him. As they were growing older and weaker it became necessary that they leave the farm home, and on Nov. 14, 1952, they entered Bethel Home in Montezuma. Only a month ago her husband passed away, having lived in this union for 18 years, seven months and 11 days.

She became sick on Monday morning, suffering intensely at times, and calmly and peacefully fell asleep Friday evening.

She leaves to mourn her departure two sons and three daughters, David and Pete Winton, Calif., Susie Jantzen of Cimarron, Kansas, Minnie Nightengale of Livingston, Calif., and Marie Giesbrecht, Montezuma, Kansas; two daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, 55 grandchildren, 103 great-grandchildren; seven step-children, their families and a host of relatives and friends. Two sons, one daughter, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren preceded her to the Great Beyond.

funeral services were held on Jan. 18, 1956, at the North Mennonite Church at Montezuma, Kansas. Rev. Albert Unruh had charge of the introduction. Rev. Harry Wenger spoke words of consolation from II Corinthians 5:1-10. Rev. Unruh spoke the benediction at the grave. Burial was made in the cemetery next to father.