Loewen, Justina Leppke (1857-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Mar 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1857 Aug 30

text of obituary:

JUSTINA LEPPKE LOEWEN

Justina Leppke Loewen, was born in Nieder-Chortitza, South Russia, to Henry and Justina Doerksen Leppke on August 30, 1857, and passed away Feb. 12, 1947, at 10:30 p.m. at the home of her oldest daughter, Mrs. G. W. Suderman, Hillsboro, Kansas, where she had made her home since September, 1941. She died just 39 years to the date after the passing of her mother. She attained the age of 89 years, five months and 13 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure four daughters: Anna (Mrs. g. W. Suderman), Justina (Mrs. D. W. Suderman), Marie (Mrs. F. R. Jost), all of Hillsboro, and Katie (Mrs. J. S. Penner) of Reedley, California, Isaac L. of Peabody, Henry L., Jon L., Peter L. and Solomon L., all of Hillsboro; 60 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, one sister, Anna (Mrs. J. W. Wiens) of Hillsboro; one sister-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Leppke, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a host of relatives and friends.

Her husband, an infant son, a daughter Elizabeth, a son Abraham, a daughter-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Loewen, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren preceded her in death.

As a young girl she was frail and small of stature. She attended the elementary schools in Russia. While in her 17th year, together with her parents and eight brothers and sisters, she experienced the mental anguish and physical hardships involved in the leaving of her home and security in Russia and establishing a new home in this country. They arrived in Peabody, Kansas, just before harvest time in 1875, and settled in the Ebenfeld community.

The rigors and hardships of pioneer days made many demands on her young life and she learned to labor hard in the field as well as in the home. In disposition our mother was pleasant and cheerful in spite of difficulties, which was a balm to the home with its multitude of problems.

As a girl she felt the need of salvation, and after accepting Christ as her personal Saviour and Lord, she was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren church at Ebenfeld in February, 1878. She found much joy in serving Him to whom she surrendered her all. She loved to sing and prayed much, especially for the large family with which God had blessed her home. She loved the church and never failed to do her part, whether in Sunday School, missionary activities, relief, or other endeavors.