Wiebe, Katherine Helene Busenitz (1881-1927)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1927 Oct 20 p. 7

Birth date: 1881 Dec 22

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1927 Sep 28 p. 6

text of obituary:

LOCAL

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. J. E. Wiebe, who died at her home on Tuesday morning of last week, were held Friday afternoon at the First Mennonite church, with a large number of people attending. Rev. Bernhard Regier and Rev. J. E. Entz conducted the services, after which interment was made at the greenwood cemetery.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1927 Oct 5 p. 8

text of obituary:

Katherine Helena Wiebe

Katherine Helena Wiebe, daughter of Johann and Katherine Busenitz, (nee Dyck) was born in Brodsack, Westprussia, Germany, Dec. 22, 1881. Before going to school, she learned and frequently recited the Bible stories and many Bible verses and religious songs. In Europe she attended the grammar school and later an advanced school for girls. In 1893 she, with her parents and brothers, came to America and in 1894 settled on the farm northeast of McLains. Here she contined [sic] her education at the local district school and the German Bible school. Later she was the cheerful helper of her mother to her continual joy and delight, studying more songs and Bible verses under her parents. In 1899, May 21, she was baptized by Rev. Jacob Toevs and became a member of the First Mennonite Church at Newton of which she remainded [sic] a member until her death. Her first great sorrow, came to her when her brother Herman died in 1904. She was married on Nov. 26, 1905, to John E. Wiebe to whom she was a loving devoted wife and companion for nearly 23 years. In 1906 she lost her dear father, who had won the love and devoted obedience of his children as few fathers do. This devotion to her parents, living or dead, remained with her until death, and her greatest joy was to please them. A third bereavement came to her with great severity when a younger brother was tragically killed in an accident.

In 1906 she became critically ill, and from then until now, for nearly 21 years, her life was one of almost continual illness or ailings therefrom. She underwent several extensive operation, and her visits to the hospital were frequent and of long duration. It is a miracle of God that she was spared to us until now. In May, 1921, a great wish of her heart was fulfilled by God giving her another son. This little boy proved to be a ray of sunshine to her during the last five years when she was practically bedfast, with an extremely bad double goiter. She was very devoted to her family and hoped for recovery when few of us dared to hope, yet during the year 1923 and 1924, her great suffering sometimes caused her to long to be taken home to heaven. Recovery was very slow, but seemed almost certain when a few weeks ago she became ill of Diabetes Melitus, and felt at once that death was near. Her belief proved true for medical science was of no avail, and on Sept. 20, 1927 at 5 P. M. she left her weary body to be with the Lord. Her continual prayer was for the blood of Christ to cover her sins. Her children she entrusted to Him who had given them to her.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her aged, very beloved mother; her husband, who in her has lost his dearest companion, 1 daughter, 2 sons, 4 brothers, and many other near relatives. She reached the age of 45 years, 8 months and 29 days. She was a brave and cheerful sufferer, trusting that the trials of earth are not worthy to be compared with the glory which awaits us with Jesus. Her life was an example of what parents can give to their children by giving them a thorough teaching of the Word of god. The Word of God was the power by which she stood the test so well.

On account of her cheerful happy nature with which she met her people there were probably very few who knew how much she was suffering.