Albrecht, Ferdinand (1860-1931)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1931 Sep 15 p. 14

Birth date: 1860 May 30

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1931 Sep 9 p. 5

text of obituary:

Ferdinand Albrecht

Ferdinand Albrecht was born May 30, 1960, at Neuteicherswalde, West Prussia, his parents being John Albrecht and Catherine Albrecht, nee Behrend. They were members of the Evangelical church. He was the second oldest of four children. On April 6, 1884, he was united in marriage to Wilhelmina Krause. In the same year they migrated to America soon locating at Newton, Kansas, on Southwest Fourth street, where he resided for forty-seven years. This union, blessed with four children, was dissolved by the death of the wife, January 15, 1897. On May 9, 1898 he remarried, being joined in matrimony to Susie Toews, nee Adrian, thereby also taking the father's duty over her two children. Of the four children born to them two passed away in infancy. In the year 1899 he joined the First Mennonite church by baptism and has ever since been a member in good standing. On July 30, 1922, he suffered a stroke of paralysis and never regained his full strength. His twenty-fifth wedding anniversary which he and his beloved wife were permitted to celebrate the following year was therefore a day of special praise and thanksgiving. This day was also made an especially happy one by the fact that it was the wedding-day of his youngest daughter. On December 5, 1930, he became seriously ill and had to submit to an emergency operation. For weeks he was very low, but his life was spared by the hand of God. On January 6, he was again permitted to come to his home, but to the end of his life was in failing health. He was a brave and cheerful sufferer trusting in the living God that this affliction too must be for his best. He knew that his days were numbered and longed to be with his Lord. Many a Christlike trait of character found a deep expression in his life. On Thursday, August 20, he became critically ill and continued to sink until at 11:45 Saturday night ne peacefully passed away in the hope of a blessed eternity. He attained an age of 71 years, 2 months and 22 days. he leaves to mourn his departure his widow, three sons, four daughters, 19 grandchildren, one brother and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock with the Rev. B. Regier in charge and at the First Mennonite church at 3:0030 with the Rev. J. E. Entz and the rev. P. P. Wedel, of Moundridge, speaking in both English and German.

A male quartette and the choir furnished music with Miss Anna Suderman at the piano and Miss Esther Bestvater at the organ. Many friends and relatives were present from Newton and vicinity. Of the out-of-town sons and daughter, Henry G. Albrecht, San Francico, Calif., was present but Mrs. Gertrude Applegate and Mr. G. P. Toews were unable to come.

The casket bearers were D. P. Ens, Gus Entz, Ed Harder, Bernhart Entz, Gus Regier and S. Carroll. Interment was made in Greenwood cemetery in charge of Duff and Son.