Wipf, Susanna S. Hofer (1876-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 14 Apr 1955 p. 10

Birth date: 1879

text of obituary:

SUSANNA S. WIPF

(Introduction: The following obituary was translated from the German by Mrs. Katharina Tschetter of Chicago, first cousin of the late Mrs. Wipf. Mrs. Tschetter comments:

“When I was ten years old I spent a few weeks in the Wolfcreek Colony, (Hutterite), staying with her in the same home, taking treatment for my eyes from a brother whose name was “Fritz.” I am now over 74 and still read without glasses. There I learned the life of the colony people. We ate together, went to prayer meeting most every evening.

“They base their teaching on Acts 2:42-47. No poor, no rich,. In our mission work the past 40 years, mostly among poor people, we were often inclined to think on the arrangement of the good colony people or the first Apostolic Church in Jerusalem.”

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Susanna S. Wipf, our mother, was born in South Russia. She came in 1879 with her parents, Jacob and Susanna (nee Decker) to America. They took a homestead near Freeman, South Dakota.

When ten years old, David and Anna Glanzer took her as their foster child. Later Glanzer moved to Wolfcreek Colony (Bruderhof) west of Freeman, South Dakota. There mother was baptized in 1896 upon the confession of her faith, and became a member of that colony church.

In 1897 she was married to Samuel J. Wipf of Bon Homme Colony and moved there. To this union 12 children were born, nine sons and three daughters. They remained in Bon Homme Colony till 1934. Then Bon Homme Colony bought land from the “Lehrerliet” Rockport, who moved to Canada. The lot fell on our family to move to Rockport, close to Alexandria, South Dakota, which was done the same year.

After not feeling well for about a year, our father became seriously ill. He died April15, 1935. He lived in Rockport only one year and three days.

Mother lived in Rockport 20 years. She became sick Jan. 22, 1955. This sickness lasted 12 days. On Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. she died in the Lord. Her age was 78 years, two months and five days.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 4. Sermon was given by Rev. David Decker, Tschetter Colony and Rev. Joseph m. Waltner, Plate colony, announced the song to the congregation, “O, God, a blessed departure.” Many relatives and friends from near and far attended the funeral.

Living are 17 grandchildren; 21 died prior to mother’s death, three by accident. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren; three brothers, David, Paul and Samuel Hofer. One sister, Katherine, died some years ago.

Three of her sons were elected to serve as ministers to preach the Word of god in different colonies: Rev. Johannes Wipf of Spink colony, Rev. David S. Wipf and Daniel Wipf in Rockport Colony.

Mother leaves behind nine sons and two daughters. One daughter died in infancy.

The living children are mrs. Susanna D. Hofer of Rockport Colony, Samuel of Plate Colony, Barbara S. Wipf of Rockport, Johannes and Jacob of Spink Colony, Daniel of Rockport, Paul of Spnk, David, Elias, Edward and Joseph, all of Rockport.

Mother had her share of life experiences. She could say as did Jacob when he stood before Pharaoh as recorded in Gen. 47: 8, 9. We had a God-fearing praying mother. We all hope, with God’s grace, to meet her again.