Siemens, Cornelius C. (1883-1944)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Nov 16 p. 3

Birth date: 1883 Aug 2

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS C. SIEMENS

Cornelius C. Siemens, son of Cornelius Siemens and Helena Giesbrecht Siemens, was born Aug. 2, 1883, at Freidensruh, South Russia. He departed from this life Oct.28, 1944, at 1:00 A. M. at the Merced General Hospital in Merced, California, at the age of 61 years, 2 months and 26 days.

He came to America with his parents and sister Helen when he was eleven months old. The family settled near Inman, Kansas, and later moved to Butler county, Kansas, where father grew to manhood. Here he obtained and completed what education was then available. When he was 19, the family moved to Silberfeld, near Hilsboro {sic], Kans. Soon after our father was converted and upon his confession of faith in Christ as his Savior, he was baptized by Rev. John Gerbrandt and accepted as a member of the Johannestal Church. In 1926 he transferred his membership to the First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro.

On October 12, 1905, he was united in marriage to Minnie Ewert. This union was blessed with seven children, two of whom died in infancy. In this union they lived for 39 years and 16 days. After having lived on a farm, they moved to Newton, Kansas, and later to Hillsboro, Kansas, where father operated a cream and poultry business for many years. In September, 1937, he together with his family, moved to California, making his home at Merced. He attended the Bethel Mennonite Church in Winton, California, and in 1942 transferred his membership. Here he remained a faithful member until his death. He enjoyed attending the services and went regularly as long as he was able.

He was employed at the Merced Air Field until May 29, 1944, when he had a light stroke on his right hand. According to his doctor he could regain complete use of his hand. on Oct. 12, 1944, he again became seriously ill from heart trouble. He was taken to the Hospital the same day and recovered fairly well. A week later he again received a light stroke on his left side, from which he never recovered.

He leaves to mourn his departure his deeply bereaved wife Minnie Siemens; one son, Sgt. Harlen E. Siemens of Kearns, Utah; four daughters, Mrs. Grace Koehn, Mrs. Rachel Ewert, and Mrs. Myrtle Unruh, all of Winton, Calif.; Virginia Siemens, Merced; three sons-in-law; seven grandchildren; 1 brother, J. H. Siemens, Oakland, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Unruh; Mrs. Helen Scheikofsky, Wichita, Kansas; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Bethel Mennonite church in Winton, California, with Rev. J. P. Glanzer and Rev. D. B. Hess officiating. Ininterment [sic] was at the Winton Cemetery.

I cannot say and I will not say
That he is dead, — He is just away!
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you — O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return, —
     Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here;
Think of him still as the same, I say;
He is not dead — He is just away!

        Mrs. C. C. Siemens and family.