Balzer, Helena Unruh Richert (1846-1936)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1937 Jan 12 p. 13

Birth date: 1846 Nov 16

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Jan 6 p. 6

text of obituary:

Mrs. Helena Balzer

Our mother, Helena Balzer, nee Unruh, was born Nov. 16, 1846 in the village of Alexanderwohl, South Russia. She was baptized upon the confession of her faith on June 7, 1864, by Elder Peter Wedel and joined the Alexanderwohl church where she remained a faithful member until her death.

On Aug. 19, 1869, she was married to Widower Heinrich Richert, her former teacher, who had 8 children from his first marriage. These children are: Heinrich, Anna (Mrs. David Schmidt); Sara (Mrs. Rudolf Riesen); Helena (Mrs. H. Schroeder), Katharina (Mrs. P. H. Schroeder); Maria (Mrs. A. H. Boese); Susie (Mrs. C. H. Wedel) and Jacob Richert. She survived all of them, except Mrs. A. H. Boese, Goessel, Kansas, and Mrs. Rudolf Riesen, Arlington, Kansas. She became a real mother to them, including the 30 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Five of these grandchildren have died.

In this wedlock also 8 children were born, of whom one son died in infancy. those still living are: Aganetha (Mrs. P. P. Klassen), Goessel, Kansas; Peter, Goessel; David, Bethel College, Kansas; Margaret, Goessel; Martha (Mrs. P. A. Penner, Champa, C. P. India); Elizabeth (Mrs. H. D. Epp) Henderson, Nebr.; John, Wichita, Kansas. She became grandmother of 18 grandchildren and great-grandmother of 4 children, making a total of 48 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren.

The deceased is survived by two brothers, P. P. Unruh, Newton, Kansas and D. P. Unruh, Goessel, Kansas; also two sisters: Mrs. John K. Regier, Buhler, and Mrs. D. J. Regier, Goessel.

Father Richert died in 1895. In 1902 mother married Elder Peter Balzer, who died in 1907.

In 1909 she moved to Goessel, Kansas, and in 1920 to Moundridge, Kansas. When Sister Margaret found employment in the Bethesda Home for the Aged at Goessel, Kansas, she went along and made this her home till she died. Here she has lived for 4 years and 7 months. Death came on Dec. 7, 1936, at 12:15 A.M., and was caused by the hardening of the arteries of the heart.

During the last day or two she had recurring pains in the region of the heart, but was seriously ill only three hours, during which time speaking for her was difficult. On the last afternoon she expressed her belief that this would be her last sickness.

Although speaking was already very difficult, she quoted the stanza:

“The strife will soon be over,
O Joy, it won’t be long,
Until we sing forever,
The Halleluja song.”

The word “Halleluja” she repeated several times. Her age was 90 years and 21 days. As she had wished and prayed, her last sickness did not last long. Otherwise she had had her share of life’s cares, especially since she was disposed to take everything rather serious. Yet her firm faith kept up her courage, and she could give comfort also to others, especially while she was in the Home for the Aged.

She read much and interested herself in all happenings in the home, school, church and the world in general. This increased her cares, but it was also an incentive to much prayer. For us children especially she prayed much. Her burdened disposition reminds one of the poet’s couplet:

“High mountains bear the deepest snow,
And noble souls the deepest woe.”

Two weeks before her death she had the joy to celebrate her 90th birthday surrounded by children and grandchildren, for which she was very grateful.

Although she felt fully satisfied and at home in the Home for the Aged, she longed for the better home above to which she now has gone before until “We meet again.”

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 10, at one o’clock P.M. at the Home for the Aged, where Rev. C. C. Wedel spoke words of comfort and at 2:00 o’clock P.M. at the Alexanderwohl church, the Rev. P. H. Unruh and Rev. P. K. Regier officiating.

All of the living children were present except Martha and P. A. Penner of India. But a cablegram was received from them and other missionaries as follows:

“With the Lord.” II Tim. 4: 7 – 8. This was read at the funeral service.

Mother was laid to rest in the Alexanderwohl cemetery, beside her first husband, Heinrich Richert.