Van der Smissen, Elisabeth Bertha Ruth (1866-1934)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1934 Jun 5 p. 14

Birth date: 1866 Sep 29

text of obituary:

Elisabeth Bertha van der Smissen, geb. Ruth war geboren in der Nähe von Summerfield, Illinois, den 29. September 1866. Sie war die Tochter von David B. Ruth und Marie Ruth, geb. Berger. Sie besuchte die nahe Landschule und die deutsche Gemeindeschule in Summerfield. Sie wurde von Pastor J. E. Krehbiel am 6. Mai, 1880 getauft und als Glied in die Summerfielder Gemeinde aufgenommen. Sie besuchte eine Zeitlang McKendree College, Lebanon und ein Jahr die Halstead Fortbildungsschule. Ihre Mutter starb am 27. September, 1888. Am 18. Juni 1893 verehelichte sie sich mit Carl H. A. van der Smissen, Pastor der Summerfielder Mennonitengemeinde, und wurde dadurch die Mutter von Karl, jetzt in Butlerville, Indiana, und von Alieda, jetzt Frau J. F. Balzer, Northfield, Minnesota. Ihrer Ehe entsprossen die folgenden Kinder: Hilda, jetzt Frau C. D. Voran, Augusta, Kansas; Frieda, jetzt Frau Wm. C. Andreas, Beatrice, Nebraska; Alwin jetzt erwählter Pastor der Einsiedel Gemeinde bei Hanston, Kansas; Elisabeth, jetzt Frau A. J. Grakos, Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Roland, jetzt in Ely, Nevada; Edna jetzt Frau R. W. Morrison, Indianapolis, Indiana; und Ruth, jetzt Frau H. C. Johnson, Huntington, Indiana. In Summerfield war sie nicht nur die tüchtige, fleißige, geliebte Gattin und liebende, weise Mutter, sondern auch die verständige, teilnehmende, beliebte Gehilfin ihres Manns in seiner Arbeit als Seelsorger. Im Jahre 1911 erhielt ihr Mann einen Ruf als Schriftleiter des Bundesboten und Mennonit, und sie zogen nach Berne, Indiana, wo sie über 20 Jahre wohnten. Sie nahm die ersten Jahre Anteil am Jugendverein und an dem großen Frauenmissionsverein, dessen Vorsitzerin sie eine Zeitlang war. In ihrem Hause fing sie mit ihren Töchtern und deren Freundinnen einen Mädchenmissionsverein an, der beständig wuchs, und für das Haus zu groß wurde, so daß er ins Erdgeschoß der Kirche verlegt wurde. Vor 13 Jahren hatte sie einen Nervenzusammenbruch, gefolgt von hohem Blutdruck. Dieser entwickelte sich zu schleichender, zitternder Lähmung. Die Lähmung nahm zu, so daß sie den Haustand nicht mehr besorgen konnte. Im August 1932 kamen alle Kinder in Berne zusammen. Am 1. Oktober 1932 traten sie und ihr Mann in das Bethel Altenheim ein, wo ihr Mann und die Schwestern sie liebend versorgten. Am Donnerstag abend bald nach 7 Uhr durfte sie ganz plötzlich heimgehen. Sie brachte ihr Alter auf 67 Jahre, 7 Monate und 25 Tage. -- Sie hinterläßt als Trauernde, ihren Gatten, drei Söhne, 6 Töchter, 2 Schwiegertöchter, 6 Schwiegersöhne, 11 Enkelkinder, 2 Brüder, eine Schwester und viele Freunde.

Im Altenheim, vor dem schönen mit prachtvollen Blumen umgebenen Sarge, sprach Rev. J. M. Suderman englisch über Psalm 126, 5.6. in sehr passender Weise. Die liebe Verstorbene hörte Br. Suderman fast jeden Freitag nachmittag. Sie hörte ihn gerne und im Segen. In der Kirche der Ersten Mennonitengemeinde sprach Rev. Suderman über Jes. 54, 10, deutsch. Ein Doppelquartett sang sehr schön im Heim, in der Kirche und am Grabe: "Safe in the arms of Jesus", "Asleep in Jesus", "Wo findet die Seele," und "Ich steh' in meines Herren Hand." Am Grabe sang ein Quartett: "Leb' wohl." Schwester Frieda lud die nächsten Angehörigen ein nach dem Begräbnis nach dem Diakonissenheim zu kommen und die Familien, 24 Personen, aßen an einem Tisch im Eßsaal, was allen sehr lieb war, da dann einige der Kinder nach Hause fuhren. Es waren 2 Söhne, 5 Töchter, 4 Schwiegersöhne, 2 Schwiegertöchter und 7 Enkel, 2 Schwägerinnen und eine Nichte.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1934 May 30 p. 1

text of obituary:

Wives of Two Local Ministers Called by Death.

The local Mennonite congregation as well as the entire community, were saddened last Friday, at the report of the death of Mrs. C. A. van der Smissen [sic C. H. A. van der Smissen] of the Bethel Home for Aged, and Mrs. J. E. Entz, wife of the pastor of the First Mennonite church. Mrs. van der Smissen passed away quite suddenly at about seven o'clock Thursday evening, after she and her husband had spent part of that afternoon on an auto trip with Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Claassen. Since she partook of a good supper after the return, hear death which followed about an hour later, came very unexpectedly. She had, however, been in ill health for a number of years and at this time was entirely dependent upon the constant and devoted care of her husband.

Mrs. Entz passed away at her home east of newton at about 10 o'clock Friday morning after a lingering illness of several months. Devoted to her family and to the spiritual interests of the Mennonite church of which here husband is pastor, the absence of her help and counsel will be deeply felt.

Funeral services for Mrs. van der Smissen were held at the Bethel Home and at the First Mennonite church Tuesday afternoon, while funeral services for Mrs. Entz are being held today at the First Mennonite church. Rev. J. M Suderman of Buhler was in charge of the services held for Mrs. van der Smissen.

The Review extends heartfelt sympathies to the families and relatives of the departed.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1934 May 30 p. 4

text of obituary:

LOCAL

. . .

— Having been immediately informed of the death of Mrs. C. H. van der Smissen last Thursday, her children arrived in Newton as soon as possible and remained here for the funeral services which were held at the First Mennonite church yesterday. The children are Mrs. C. D. Voran, Augusta; Rev. Alvin van der Smissen, Pawnee Rock; Mrs. W. C. Andreas, Beatrice, Nebr.; Mrs. Elizabeth Krakas, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Mrs. H. S. Johnson, Huntinton, Ind.; Mrs. R. W. Morrison, Indianapolis, Ind., and Roland van der Smissen, Ely, Nevada.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1934 Jun 6 p. 2

text of obituary:

Mrs. Elisabeth Bertha van der Smissen, nee Ruth.

Elisabeth Bertha van der Smissen, nee Ruth, was born near Summerfield, Illinois, September 29, 1866. She was the daughter of David B. Ruth and Marie Ruth, nee Berger. She attended the public school in the country and the German congregational school in Summerfield, and was baptized on May 6, 1880, by Pastor J. E. Krehbiel, becoming a member of the Summerfield Mennonite congregation. For a while she attended McKendree College, Lebanon. Her mother died on September 27, 1888. For a year she also attended the institute in Halstead, Kansas.

On June 18, 1893, she was married to Carl H. A. van der Smissen, pastor of the Mennonite congregation in Summerfield and thereby became the mother of Karl, now in Butlerville, Indiana, and of Alieda, now Mrs. J. F. Balzer, Northfield, Minnesota. To their union were born the following children: Hilda, now Mrs. C. D. Voran, Augusta, Kansas; Frieda, now Mrs. Wm. C. Andreas, Beatrice, Nebraska; Alwin, pastor elect of the Einsiedel Mennonite congregation, Hanston, Kansas; Elisabeth, now Mrs. A. J. Grakos, Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Roland, now Ely, Nevada; Edna, now Mrs. R. W. Morrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Ruth, now Mrs. H. S. Johnson, Huntington, Indiana.

In Summerfield, she was not only the efficient, industrious, and beloved wife and mother, but also the wise, sympathetic assistant of her husband in his pastoral work.

In 1911 her husband was called to be the editor of the Bundesbote and Mennonite and they moved to Berne, Indiana, where they lived over 20 years. She was active in the C. E. society and the large ladies' mission society, of which she was the president for a while. She organized the girls' mission band in her home, which grew constantly. When it became too large and she could no longer do her part because of failing health, the mission band was taken to the basement of the church.

Thirteen years ago she had a nervous breakdown and then developed high blood pressure and incipient shaking paralysis. She was in Lindlards Sanitarium in Chicago for a month, but doctors gave little hope for recovery. Since then her paralysis developed and she became unable to attend to her household duties. In August, 1932, Mr. and Mrs. van der Smissen entered the Bethel Home for Aged, Newton, Kansas, where she was lovingly attended to by her husband and the Sisters. In the evening of May 24 she suddenly passed away, going to her heavenly home at the age of 67 years, 7 months, and 25 days.

She leaves as mourners: her husband, three sons, six daughters, two daughters-in-law, six sons-in-law, 11 grandchildren, two brothers, one sister, and many friends.

You've carried your burden,
      You've carried it long;
Oh, take it to Jesus,
      He's loving and strong.
He will take it away,
      And your sorrows shall cease,
He will send you rejoicing
      With His heav'nly peace.

At the Bethel Home before the coffin, ornamented with many beautiful flowers, where the deceased lay peacefully, Rev. J. M. Suderman spoke in English on Psalm 126, 5. 6. Rev. Suderman formerly preached in the Home on Friday afternoons, which she understood well and had many a blessing from his sermons. In the Mennonite church Rev. Suderman spoke in German, text Isa. 54,10. A double quartet sang very appropriate hymns in English and in German at the Bethel Home and at the church. A quartet sang also at the grave. Lebe wohl!

After the service Sister Frieda invited the family to the Deaconess Home where a very nice supper was served. There were 24 at the table. Besides the husband of the deceased 2 sons, 5 daughters, 4 sons-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, 7 grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law and one niece were present.