Kliewer, Emma Ruth (1876-1935)

Revision as of 17:08, 27 March 2013

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 Jan 2 p. 1

Birth date: 1876 Jan 17

text of obituary:

The entire community suffered a deep loss this morning in the death of Mrs. J. W. Kliewer, who passed away at the Bethel Hospital at about 4:00 o'clock. Although she was seriously ill since shortly after Christmas, her family and many friends had steadfastly hoped for her recovery.

Mrs. Kliewer suffered a severe attack of pneumonia about a week ago. She was taken to the Bethel Hospital where every possible effort was made to check the disease, which, however, proved unconquerable.

The departed is survived by her husband, Dr. J. W. Kliewer; two sons Carl of Salina, and Paul of Wichita; and one daughter Ruth of Berkeley, Calif.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, at 2:00 o'clock at the home and at 2;30 at the Bethel College chapel. Interment will be in the Greenwood cemetery.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 Jan 9 p. 2

text of obituary:

Mrs. Emma Ruth Kliewer was born on January 17, 1876, near Halstead, Kansas, making her age at the time of her death, 58 years, 11 months and 15 days. She was the daughter of John W. Ruth and Elise Strohm Ruth, early Kansas pioneers. In spite of pioneer conditions her parents could give all of their children educational facilities beyond the ordinary grade schools. Emma did some academy work at Halstead Mennonite Academy and later entered Bethel College for two years.

She grew up in a definitely religious atmosphere. Her father was deacon in the Mennonite church of Halstead, Kansas. During some years of the service of Mr. Ruth as deacon, the church was without a pastor. Mr. Ruth got a great deal of satisfaction out of the thought that for every Sunday of that pastorless period, services could be arranged. Perhaps it was partly this home influence that developed in her that loyal response to every opportunity of service to home and church that was such an outstanding characteristic of the departed.

These early home influences fog [sic] a religious life were continued under the unusually able preaching of the Reverends Christian Krehbiel and David Goerz. She responded to these appeals by definitely deciding for the Christina life and uniting with the Mennonite Church in Halstead, Kansas.

On October 30, 1902, she was united in marriage to J. W. Kliewer, at that time pastor of the Mennonite Church at Wadsworth, Ohio. The following year they moved to Berne, Indiana, where their three children were born, Karl now connected with the Western Star Mill at Salina, Kansas; Ruth attending school at Berkeley, Calif., and Paul, with the Federal Land Bank in Wichita, Kansas.

Mrs. Kliewer lived a life of unselfish devotion to her public and private duties. She gave herself to the limit of her strength, and often rendered service beyond what was best for her because of her enfeebled health. She did this without any ostentation and it was therefore often difficult even for those nearest to her to evaluate her efforts to the full.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1935 Jan 9 p. 4

text of obituary:

. . ,

— The funeral for Mrs. J. W. Kliewer, who died at the Bethel Hospital last Wednesday morning, was held Saturday afternoon. The service at the home at two o'clock was in charge of Rev. C. E. Krehbiel, while the service at the Bethel College chapel at 2:30 o'clock was in charge of Rev. E. G. Kaufman, assisted by Rev. Logan Martin of the Christian church. The service was attended by a large gathering of friends and relatives of the departed, by whom her serviceful life will always be a cherished memory. The interment was made in Greenwood cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1935 Apr 16 p. 22