Koehn, Niela Susanne (1944-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Apr 12 p. 3

Birth date: 1944

text of obituary:

NIELA SUSANNE KOEHN

Baby Niela Susanne Koehn, daughter of Bro. and Sis. Noah Koehn, was born April 16, 1944, at Halstead, Kansas and passed away at 3:15 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, April 3, 1945 in the Halstead Hospital. She reached the age of eleven months and 28 days.

She was a happy, healthy child until March 19, when she became sick and was taken to the Halstead Hospital. There it was found that she was suffering from influenzal meningitis. All the loving care and medical aid seemed to be in vain. After an illness of 14 days, suffering greatly the two days, she peacefully fell asleep.

Baby Niela was a friendly, loving little girl; her coming brought great joy to our home, and she came as a blooming flower but soon passed away. We cannot understand why her life must cease when just begun, yet we know the Lord does all things well. So help us to say "not our will, but thy will be done. Thous hast given and Thou has taken, Blessed be the name of the Lord."

She leaves to mourn her early departure, her deeply bereaved parents, one sister, Marilyn Kay; Grandparents J. T. Koehns, thirteen uncles, twelves [sic] aunts; one great grandfather and great grandmother; also, a host of relatives and friends.

The grandparents, J. W. R. Schmidts, preceded her in death.

Funeral services for baby Niela were conducted from the Grace Mennonite church west of Halstead on Friday afternoon, April 6, at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Carl Dirks was the officiatng pastor and he was assisted by Rev. Paul Becker. A short service in the home preceded the church service. The church choir sang several songs in the church, in the home and also at the grave. The honorary casket bearers were four little girls — Donna Koehn, Delia Koehn, Betty Schmidt and Helma Buller.

Her little body was laid to rest in the Halstead cemetery under the direction of Kaufman and Dreese.