Ediger, Lena Voth (1888-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Jan 16 p. 5

Birth date: 1888 Mar 23

text of obituary:

NEWTON and VICINITY

● Mrs. Anna Pauls, 90, widow of John Pauls and a pioneer Mennonite emigrant from South Russia to McPherson County, Kan., died Jan. 7 at the Pleasant View Home in Inman. The following day her sister, Mrs. Lena Ediger, 75, widow of Henry J. Ediger and former resident of Newton, died at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge. Mrs. Ediger had moved to the Inman home last August. Both sisters leave children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are four sisters, including Mrs. J. U. Regier of Newton, and one brother, John Voth of Inman. Funeral services for Mrs. Pauls were held Friday afternoon at the Hoffnungsau church near Inman, with Rev. Dick Remple officiating. Services for Mrs. Ediger were held at the same church Saturday afternoon with Rev. Remple and Rev. Eugene Gnagy in charge.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 20 Feb 1964 p. 8

text of obituary:

LENA VOTH EDIGER

Lena (Voth) Ediger was born March 23, 1888 to Cornelius and Kornelia (Heidebrecht) Voth near Inman in McPherson County, Kansas. She attended the Lake Shore elementary school. She was baptized on her confession of faith on June 16, 1907 by Elder Abraham Ratzlaff and received into the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church. She was united in marriage to Henry J. Ediger on Nov. 11, 1908 by Elder Abraham Ratzlaff. He used as their marriage text John 8:12.

Mrs. Ediger writes: “We ventured out in pioneer days to Syracuse, Hamilton County, Kan., where we tried to make our livelihood but as drought and weather elements were against us we decided to come back to good old Hoffnungsau. So we moved to a farm east of Buhler in Harvey County, Kan.”

“Our marriage was blessed with three sons and one daughter, Martha, who died in infancy. The sons are Edward H., Marvin H. and H. Milford. We retired from our farm in 1944 when we moved to 700 West 5th, Newton, Kan.”

Mother was always alert to opportunities for sharing and freely gave herself to those in need. Willingly she gave of her time and talent to the work of missions. Her husband, Henry J. Ediger, preceded her in death on Aug. 5, 1962. Mother stayed in their home in Newton. On Dec. 11, 1961 she transferred her membership to the Church of the Brethren, Newton, where it was possible for her to attend.

Being an asthma patient her health failed more and more, so on Aug. 8, 1963 she was taken to the Inman Home for the Aged where she was cared for in her last months. She was taken to Mercy Hospital, Moundridge, Kan., on Jan. 2, where she passed away on Jan. 8. She reached the age of 75 years, nine months, two weeks and two days.

Survivors are Edward H. and wife Elvina, Marvin H. and wife Dorothy, and H. Milford and wife Donna; 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She has one brother, John Voth of Inman, and four sisters, Mrs. Mary Schmidt, Waldheim, Sask., Mrs. Minnie Regier, Newton, Mrs. Martha C. Friesen, Buhler, and Mrs. Sara P. Franz, Inman.

The Mennonite obituary: 1964 Mar 10 p. 156