Kliewer, Barbara M. Baer (1868-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Feb 19 p. 6

Birth date: 1868 May 27

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church of Halstead Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. Barbara Kliewer, 84, who died early Monday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Carl Dettweiler, north of Halstead. Rev Loris A. Habegger was in charge of the services. Mrs. Kliewer and husband, the late Henry Kliewer came to Halstead from Summerfield, Ill. in 1891 and operated a store there until moving to California in 1916. Mr. Kliewer died in 1937. Surviving in addition to Mrs. Dettweiler are a son Cecil of Santa Ana, Calif., and a brother Samuel Baer of Summerfield.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 5 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. BARBARA M. KLIEWER

Mrs. Barbara M. (Baer) Kliewer, widow of the late Earnest [sic Ernest] H. Kliewer, passed to her reward on Monday morning, February 16, 1953, after her lingering illness was complicated by an attack of influenza. She had suffered much in recent years and was a semi-invalid because of a severe condition of arthritis. Throughout her suffering she was courageous and faithful, always endeavoring to be helpful.

Mrs. Kliewer was born in Summerfield, Illinois on May 27, 1868 the daughter of Christ and Katherina Berger Baer. She grew to womanhood in that community and on September 24, 1891 was united in marriage with Earnest [sic Ernest]H. Kliewer by the late Rev. C. H. A. van der Smissen. The union was broken by the death of Mr. Kliewer in 1937.

Mr. and Mrs. Kliewer came to Kansas shortly after their marriage in 1891 and became the owners of the Kliewer’s Grocery which was located in the building now occupied by the Stein Furniture Store in Halstead. They operated this store in connection with a clothing store in Newton until 1916 and when they moved to Tucson, Arizona. From Tucson the family moved in 1919 to Upland, California where they resided until 1937 when Mr. Kliewer passed away. Mrs. Kliewer then returned to the Halstead community to make her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dettweiler, where she lived at the time of her passing.

She received baptism and joined the First Mennonite church of Summerfield, Illinois on May 26, 1881. After coming to Kansas, she united with the First Mennonite church at Halstead in 1891 and remained a faithful member here until her death. Her death marks the first passing of a member of this congregation in over a year and a half.

One of Mrs. Kliewer’s great joys was the cultivation of flowers. When she was still in good health, she always busied herself with the growing of fine flowers.

Preceding in death in addition to her husband were a daughter, Esther Katherine, in infancy and a son Earl Albert, in 1932. Survivors include the daughter, Alieda and her huband [sic], Carl Dettweiler of rural Halstead; a son, Cecil Henry, and his wife of Santa Anna California; six grandchildren; Melburn J. and Willis Dettweiler of rural Halstead; Mrs. James (Floreine) Wilson of Newton; Kathleen, Patricia and Thomas Kliewer of Santa Anna, California and four great-grandchildren. One brother, Samuel Baer, Belleville; Illinois and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Lydia Baer of Halstead, also survive her. >

Funeral services for Mrs. Kliewer were conducted from the First Mennonite Church of Halstead on Wednesday afternoon, February 18, 1953 at 2:30 o’clock. Her pastor, Rev. L. A. Habegger was the officiating clergyman. Miss Alma Ruth played the organ selection “Theme” by Haydn. Mrs. Dan Krehbiel, Mrs. H. B. Unruh, Harvey Vogt and Dan Krehbiel sang: “The Old Rugged Cross.” Mrs. Harvey Vogt was the accompanist and organist. As organ selections she used: “Sunset and Evening Star,” “Abide With Me,” “Near To The Heart of God,” “So Nimm Denn Meine Hande,” “Harre Meine Seele,” “Wo Findet Die Seele ” and “Asleep in Jesus.”

She was laid to rest in the family lot in the Halstead Cemetery with the directors of the Kaufman Home -in charge of funeral arrangements. Casket Bearers were: Henry Will, Edward Toevs, Will Penner, Henry Penner, Paul Schroeder and F. Lehman.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Apr 7 p. 224