Juhnke, Ernest (1879-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 May 9 p. 6

Birth date: 1879

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Ernest Juhnke, 78, retired farmer of the Elyria community near Moundridge, were held at the Hopefield Mennonite Church on Thursday, May 2, with Rev. Ben Friesen in charge. Mr. Juhnke died at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge on April 30 after a brief illness. Survivors include his wife, Alvina, who is ill at the home, nine children and three brothers. A son, Carl Juhnke, and a brother, Otto Juhnke, are residents of Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 May 16 p. 8

text of obituary:

ERNEST JUHNKE

Ernest Juhnke, son of Karl and Freni Kaufman Juhnke, was born on April 4, 1879, at Frankfort, neb., the second of seven children. He passed away quietly in the Mercy hospital at Moundridge, Kansas, on April 30 at 9:30 a.m.

At the age of four he moved with his parents to a farm five miles west and one and one-half south of Moundridge. He was baptized on his confession of faith on Nov. 27, 1904, by Rev. N. R. Kaufman and became a member of the Hopefield Mennonite Church, which membership he cherished up to the time of his departure.

On Dec. 29,1904, he was united in marriage with Alvina Kaufman by Rev. Christian Voran. This union was blessed with eleven children, five sons and six daughters. On Dec. 29, 1954, they had the privilege of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

He enjoyed good health until recently when gradually symptoms of failing health appeared. His sudden death was due to heart and kidney failure. Even in retirement he maintained an active outdoor life. He was engaged in removing trees around the yard in Elyria shortly before his fatal illness. On April 27 he was admitted to the hospital. Though given the best of medical care he departed from this life three days later. He reached the age of 78 years and 26 days.

Father will be remembered as having a deep interest in the church and in the welfare of his children and grandchildren. His many grandchildren were a source of pride. He enjoyed listening to the radio during many of his lonely hours when mother was in the hospital. Mother, at present in bed in Elyria, was unable to attend the funeral which was in charge of Rev. Ben Friesen of the Hopefield church. Interment was on May 2 in the Hopefield Cemetery.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife Alvina of Elyria; four sons, William of Lehigh, Carl of Newton, Walter and John of rural Moundridge; five daughters, Emma, Mrs. Joseph Stucky of Moundridge, Alvina, Mrs. Abe Neufeld of Callaway, Neb., Elsie, Mrs. Lawrence Graber of Pretty Prairie, Marie, Mrs. Dan Schrag of Moundridge, and Martha, Mrs. Robert Kaufman, McPherson; 25 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; three brothers, Otto, Wesley, and Karl; four brothers-in-law, eight sisters-in-law; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by three sisters; one son Joseph at the age of two; and one daughter, Anna, at the age of 19.