Adrian, John J. (1896-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Jun 30 p. 8

Birth date: 1896 Aug 24

text of obituary:

JOHN J. ADRIAN

John J. Adrian was born Aug. 24, 1896, to John and Sarah (Schultz) Adrian on a farm south of Mountain Lake, Minn. He passed away to his eternal reward on June 8, 1960, at 2 a.m. at the Bethel Hospital in Mountain Lake at the age of 63 years, nine months, and 15 days.

Father spent his boyhood days on his parent’s farm. He received his education in a rural school south of Mountain Lake and the Mountain Lake Bible school.

On May 28, 1917, he was baptized upon confession of faith by Rev. Jacob Stoesz and received into the First Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake, where he remained a faithful member until his departure.

On June 1, 1918, he was united in marriage to Nettie Penner, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Penner, at the farm home of the bride’s parents north of Butterfield. Rev. Jacob Stoesz performed the marriage ceremony. They shared the joys and sorrows of life for 42 years. This union was blessed with five children– three sons and two daughters. Only one week before his death, they were privileged to observe their 42nd wedding anniversary while father was in the hospital.

After their marriage, they moved to the farm north of Butterfield where they lived and worked for 33 years. In 1951, they moved to their present home in Butterfield. Father continued farm work after residing in town and took much interest in helping his children with their farm work. He took great joy in being with his grandchildren–building them toys or taking them fishing. community activities were of interest to him in that he served on the township board, rural and public school boards, and on agricultural committees.

Father enjoyed comparatively good health all his life until the latter years, when in March 1959 he entered Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., where his illness was diagnosed as leukemia. On Dec. 24, 1959, he re-entered Northwestern for further care and after some recovery, he was allowed to return to his home, where he was able to stay until May 10. At this time, he had to re-enter Northwestern Hospital, where his condition became very serious. However, he was able to be transferred to the Bethel Hospital in Mountain Lake on May 30, where he remained until his death early in the morning of June 8. In the closing days of his life, he endured much pain and suffering.

Many relatives, friends and neighbors came to visit him during his illness–which he appreciated very much. Father took much interest in the activities of his family. Their spiritual life was of concern to him at all times. He was a faithful husband and father in providing for their material and physical needs.

He leaves to mourn his passing his faithful wife, Nettie, who lovingly cared for him in his illness, and five children. They are Dave and John of Butterfield, Ben of Mountain Lake, Agnes (Mrs. Assten Braaten), Annie (Mrs. James Lepp), both of Butterfield; also two daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law and 11 grandchildren. Also surviving are his aged mother-in-law, Mrs. D. G. Penner; one sister, Marie (Mrs. Jacob G. Rahn) of Mountain Lake; one brother Peter, of Annandale, Minn. and one sister-in-law, Mrs. I. J. Adrian.

Four grandsons preceded him in death namely, David Adrian, Jr., and the infant sons of the Ben Adrians–Paul Kevin, Mark Anthony, and Timothy Joel; also his parents and his brother, Isaac, who passed away in October, 1959.