Willems, Dietrich D. (1888-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Feb 19 p. 6

Birth date: 1888 Jun 30

text of obituary:

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— Sunday afternoon at the Zoar K. M. B. Church near Inman, funeral services were held for Dietrich Willems, 70, a resident of the Inman community throughout his life, Rev. Arnold Ensz officiated. Mr. Willems died Thursday evening, Feb. 12, at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson, having been in ill health for five years. Among the five surviving children is a son, Andy Willems of Newton. A sister, Mrs. Abe Fast, also resides here.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 19 p. 10

text of obituary:

DIETRICH D. WILLEMS

Dietrich D. Willems, our loving father and husband, son of Abraham and Anna (Fast) Willems, was born June 30, 1888, near Buhler, Kansas.

At the age of 19 he realized his lost condition and turned to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his loving Saviour. Upon his confession of faith, he was baptized by Rev. John Esau on March 31, 1907, and affiliated with the Zoar K. M. B. church of which he remained a faithful member.

On April 3, 1912, he was married to Elizabeth Thiessen. We shared joy and sorrow for 47 years, 10 months and seven days. One daughter and six sons were born to this union, of whom two sons, Abram and Aaron, died in infancy.

in 1921 we moved to Garden City, making our home there until 1928, when we came back to the Inman community where he had spent most of his life. In 1953 we left the farm and made our home in Inman.

He had many trials and suffered much, but without murmuring. In June 1951 he suffered intensely for 10 days in the hospital from the bite of a poisonous spider. In May 1954 he suffered his first stroke from which he fully recovered. On August 2, 1958, he again suffered a stroke, leaving him partly handicapped. On Feb. 11, 1959, he suffered a third stroke which left him in a coma until his death on Feb. 12 at 6:35 p. m. He reached the age of 70 years, seven months and seven days.

We do not mourn as those who have no hope. He lived a Christian life and clung to the promises of the Lord which we find in His Holy Word.

He will be missed greatly by his family and many friends. He had a cheerful disposition, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. he worked hard all his life.

He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife, Elizabeth; one daughter Anna and her husband Henry F. Thiessen; four sons, John and wife Ruthanne, Arnold and wife Helen of Inman, Pete and wife Esther of Hutchinson, Andy and wife Donna of Newton, 13 grandchildren; one brother, Abe Willems of Greensburg; and four sisters, Mrs. Pete Fast, Mrs. Dave Fast, Mrs. Abe Fast and Mrs. Lizzie Wiens; and many relatives and friends. — Mrs. D. D. Willems and family.