Krause, Helena Wiens Harms (1872-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Oct 13 p. 8

Birth date: 1872 Nov 10

text of obituary:

MRS. P. M. KRAUSE

Helena Krause, our loving mother was the daughter of Aaron and Agatha Wiens. She was born in Russia on Nov. 10, 1872, and departed this life at Dinuba, Calif. to enter the presence of her Lord and Saviour on Sept. 25, 1955. She attained the age of 82 years, 10 months and 15 days.

At the age of 12, together with her parents and family, she migrated to America, settling near Burrton, Kansas.

She met with many hardships and struggles from youth on. Because of the poverty of the parents, she had to take up work away from home after being in America only a few weeks in order to earn money to help support the family. This was not easy in a strange land with strange customs, yet because of her cheerful disposition, she soon found joy even in this.

At the age of twenty she was united in holy matrimony to John Harms, son of Rev. and Mrs. Abraham Harms in Hillsboro, Kansas. After only one year of a happy marriage, her husband was taken from her side by a severe illness of only 24 hours when they were visiting his parents at Medford, Okla. Her grief seemed unbearable but through this she learned to pray and trust God, receiving Christ as her Saviour from sin. She was baptized by Elder Jacob A. Wiebe in April of 1894 and received into the fellowship of the Gnadenau Krimmer Mennonite Brethren church near Hillsboro, Kansas.

On New Year's Day 1896 she was married to our father, Peter m. Krause, with whom she shared the joys and sorrows of this life for more than 56 years. They had a happy married life until father passed away in 1952.

This union was blessed with nine children, four sons and five daughters, who are all living and had the privilege of all being present to lay the body of their dear mother to rest.

The parents established their new home in Butler County, Kansas, where they lived but a short time when the moved to Lehigh, Kansas, where they lived in the Springfield Community. In August 1906 the family moved to the Hooker, Okla. community where they did pioneer work. Our parents experienced many hardships and discouragements here but the blessings were also manifest.

Our mother's health was always limited, and we as a family never knew a strong healthy mother. She was forced to spend much time in bed even in her younger days, but she always displayed a strong will to live. Through these many illnesses mother learned to lean heavily upon her heavenly Father which also enriched and broadened her Christian life.

Her first concerns were not her sufferings but the welfare of her family both spiritual and mateiral. She spent much time in prayer for us, and we shall never forget her tenderness and gratitude shown under all circumstances. She would quote "Ich habe frohe Stunden bie empfunden, O Herr, Wenn mein Herz war schwer."

Our parents came to Reedley, Calif., in 1929, and affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church. Due to her poor health, mother could not attend the services as she would have liked. She found much joy in reading her Bible, in prayer, reading Christian periodicals, and in listening to many good Christian radio programs. She spent much time praying for the missionaries and also sewing for them.

After father's death, mother continued to live in their home alone for two years. On Jan. 3, 1954, she was confined to her bed and seldom left it after that. Her family tenderly cared for her. Her daughter, Martha, with her family moved in with mother and took care of her for 14 months. For the last five months she was with her daughter Elizabeth who with her husband gave her the best of loving care.

One daughter-in-law and one great grand-daughter preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her departure four sons, Aaron Krause of Enid, Okla., Dave Krause of Dinuba, Calif., Jack Krause of Walnut Creek, Calif.; five daughters, Martha, Mrs. J. W. Flaming of Reedley, Hulda, Mrs. A. H. Klassen, Dallas, Texas, Helen, Mrs. H. P. Sperling, Reedley, Elizabeth, Mrs. Harry Klaassen, Dinuba, Calif., Malinda, Mrs. Hubert Patzkowski, Reedley; four daughters-in-law; five sons-in-law; 22 grandchidlren; 15 great grandchildren; one brother, A. A. Wiens, Adams, Okla.; three sisters-in-law; and many other relatives and friends. — The Family.