Swartzendruber, Mattie (1904-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Aug 25 p. 8

Birth date: 1904 Apr 13

text of obituary:

MATTIE SWARTZENDRUBER

Mattie Swartzendruber, daughter of the late Valentine and Mary Ann Rhodes Swartzendruber, was born April 13, 1904 at Centralia, Mo. On Feb. 1, 1905, she with her parents moved to Hydro, Okla., which was her home until her death.

She received her elementary education close to her home and graduated from high school at the Jabbok Bible School near Thomas, Okla.

In 1941, she graduated as a registered nurse from the Mennonite School of Nursing at La Junta, Colo. She followed her nursing profession after graduation and in 1956 she became public health nurse of Mayes county, Okla. This area of service was the highlight of her profession because of the opportunities it afforded in service to her needy fellowmen.

In her youth she accepted Christ as her Saviour and was baptized and received into the Mennonite Church, of which she was a faithful member until her death. She served the Lord in various capacities such as Sunday school teacher, chorister and in Bible school work.

On May 10, 1959, she suffered a severe heart attack caused by having had rheumatic fever in her youth. From this attack she never fully recovered and in March of 1960 became seriously ill. In spite of all medical science could do, she grew steadily weaker. On July 28, she was taken to the Weatherford hospital and on Aug. 4 at 1:30 a.m. she went to be with her Maker.

She is survived by five sisters and four brothers, Nora, Mrs. Henry Eichelberger, Hydro; Alva of Hydro; Polly, Mrs. Joe Detweiler, Newton, Kan.; Fred of Kansas City, Kan.; Barbara and Mary Jane of Tribune, Kan.; Valentine of Limon, Colo.; Jacob of Hydro; and Katie Anna, Mrs. Richard Birkey of Adair, Okla., besides 18 nieces and nephews and 11 great nieces and nephews.

During her long illness she was anointed and many prayers ascended for her healing, but she was always submissive that the will of God be done and bore her illness patiently.

Funeral services were held at the Pleasant View Mennonite church near Hydro, Okla., on Aug. 7, with Bro. Allen Erb, Hesston, Kan., and Bro. John Slagell, Hydro, Okla., officiating.