Bontrager, Martha Yoder (1898-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jul 19 p. 4

Birth date: 1898 Jan 17

text of obituary:

CALLED AWAY AFTER FOUR-MONTH ILLNESS

Haven, Kansas. — Funeral services were held here this past week for Mrs. Martha Bontrager, 58, wife of Wm. A. Bontrager. Mrs. Bontrager died July 12 in Wesley hospital, Wichita, after a four-month illness.

She was a member of the Yoder Mennonite church. Besides her husband, she is survied [sic] by four sons, two daughters, five brothers and nine sisters.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Aug 2 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. MARTHA BONTRAGER

Martha (Yoder) Bontrager, fifth child of Jonas and Fannie (Hostetler) Yoder, was born Jan. 17, 1898, near Yoder in Reno county, Kansas.

In the Yoder community she grew to womanhood and gave her heart to the Lord, being baptized in the Amish Mennonite Church in 1918. On May 7, 1921, she with her husband transferred their membership to the Yoder Mennonite church.

On March 25, 1920, she was united in marriage to William A. Bontrager of the same community. This union was blessed with six son and two daughters; Morris, Laura (Mrs. Allen Schrock), Howard, Alvin, Linford, William Jr., Alice, and David, Alvin and William Jr. both preceded her in death. All of the children live in Reno county, Kansas.

Surviving are her husband, the above named children, nine grandchildren, and the following brothers and sisters: Milo, Ervin Mary Ann (Mrs. Jonas Mullet, Elmina (Mrs. Alvin Kauffman), Barbara (Mrs. Felty Schrock), of Goshen, Ind.; Fannie (Mrs. Edd F. Schrock), Washington, Ind.; Edna, (Mrs. Pete Yoder), Katie (Mrs. John Kauffman); of Milford, Ind.; Joe of Hutchinson, Kansas. One sister, Lizzie, Ann, preceded her in death. Also surviving are her step-mother, Mrs. Susie Yoder, and two half brothers and three half sisters; Samuel, Fred, and Polly (Mrs. John Keim), Haven; Anna (Mrs. Sam Bontrager), and Susie (Mrs. Charles Gough), Hutchinson, Kansas.

With the exception of about two years, when they lived in New York state, the family has always lived in Reno county, Kansas.

Martha was a quiet, devoted wife and mother. She was more interested in the comfort and well-being of others than in her own good. She was regular at church and consistent in her Christian life and witness.

Early in this year she showed need of medical help. After two serious chest operations, when part of her lung was removed in hope of her recovery, she quietly passed away on July 12, `956, at the Wesley Hospital, Wichita, Kansas. She bore the suffering of these months patiently, showing a deep interest in her family and often requested prayer. Her age was 58 years, five months and 25 days.

She shared the joys and sorrows of life with her companion for over 36 years.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, July 15, 1956. A service at the home was in charge of Val. J. Headings, followed by services at the Yoder Mennonite church in charge of Harry A. Diener and Ed. P. Schrock. Burial was made in the church cemetery. — The Family.