Androes, Lena (1892-1978)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 22 Jun 1978 p. 12

Birth date: 1892 Mar 2

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 24 Aug 1978 p. 11

text of obituary:

SISTER LENA ANDROES

Lena Androes was born Mar. 2, 1892 in Friedensfeld, South Russia, to John J. and Helena Loewen Androes. When the glowing reports of the wonderful new land across the Atlantic reched them from relatives in Kansas, they decided to leave for the U.S., arriving here in 1893. They made their first home in McPherson, later moving to the Hillsboro, Lehigh and Goessel communities.

Lena was the oldest in a family of seven children and since her mother was not well, she had to take care of most of the family's needs. Her days of learning were shortened, but she was especially influenced by one teacher, Catherine Voth, later Sister Catherine of the deaconess sisterhood. It was through her influence that Lena later became led to devote her life as a deaconess.

In her early teens she became aware of her spiritual need and upon confession of faith was baptized in 1910 by Abraham Ratzlaff in the Alexanderwohl Church, Goessel. She transferred her membership to the First Mennonite Church of Newton in 1924.

She entered Bethel Deaconess Hospital in 1916 and was ordained a deaconess in 1924. She was a willing worker, active in the laundry and later as a housekeeper. She loved to knit and do fancy work. Her greatest delight was her association with the Senior Auxiliary which did much sewing, mending and monogramming of linens for the hospital and nursing home. In the sisters' home, she was always ready to do things for all of us. Anything needed, Sister Lena knew where to get it or find it or mend it.