Andres, Matilda M. Claassen (1897-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 26 p. 6

Birth date: 1897 March 30, Plum Grove Township, Butler County, Kansas
Date of Death: 1953 March 21, Elbing, Kansas

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the Zion Mennonite church, Elbing, Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Mathilda [sic Matilda] M. Andres, 55, wife of John G. Andres of Elbing, who died March 21 at her home. The services were conducted by Rev. H. J. Dyck and Rev. C. J. Dyck. Mrs. Andres, daughter John H. and Elizabeth Claassen, is survived by her husband, one daughter and three sons, six sisters and seven brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Apr 16 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN ANDRES

My beloved wife, Matilda Andres, nee Claassen, was born on March 30, 1897, at her family home near Potwin, Kansas. She was the daughter of John H. and Elizabeth Thierstein Claassen.

She received her education in the local district school and the Potwin high school, graduating in 1916. It was her privilege to receive not only Christian training, but also the valuable discipline of growing up in a large family. Except for an infant who died in 1906, she is the first of the children to pass away.

She willingly took up her duties while at home and also in the community, serving as called on in Sunday school, church Bible school, and substituted as district school teacher during the influenza epidemic of 1918. At the age of 17 she gave public expression to her faith by requesting baptism, following which she became a member of the Emmaus Mennonite church near Whitewater.

We began our life together in 1922 when we were married on May 11. She was always a good wife and a loving Christian mother to our children. Three sons, Ronald, Edwin and Irvin, and one daughter Thelma were given to us in our marriage. How often during her long illness in the past years did we thank God for our daughter and her untiring devotion in nursing her mother at all times, day or night. We rejoice especially that all four of our children have found the Lord and know Him as their Saviour and Friend.

In 1940 we moved from the farm to Elbing, and in 1942 into our present home which we called a gift from God. In 1944 on June 11 we joined the Zion church in Elbing. In 1947 the Lord gave us the joy of celebrating our silver wedding anniversary. It was grace from God. Truly He was good to us always.

Some years ago a disease began to show itself, at first almost unnoticed but finally forcing her to get medical advice. We did not know then what long hard days were yet ahead of her, and that was well. In these years now we have often asked ourselves the question, Why? She could not move or speak, and could hardly make a moving sign for the last year in her three and one-half years of suffering. But God knows why and He knows best.

Because she could not speak we had made a board with all the letters of the alphabet on it, and when we came to the letter that was in the word which she wanted to tell us, she would blink her eyes, which meant either “that's it” or “yes.” On Friday of last week we asked her “Do you think you are going home?” and she immediately closed her eyes tightly, which meant yes! We also asked her “Can't we really be thankful today that all our children are washed in the blood of Jesus?” and again she closed her eyes to say “yes.”

In these last days she also spelled out to us that she thought she had been impatient with her sickness and she asked our forgiveness. But she was never impatient. “Forgive me all my sins” she spelled out, “they are all washed away through the blood of Christ” and then she added “meet me in Heaven!”

Her sickness has brought us all closer to our Saviour and her passing also closer to one another. She was a forgiving wife and also a forgiving mother.

On Saturday morning, March 21, at 6:25 in the morning she peacefully passed on to be with her Lord, having reached the age of 55 years, 11 months and 21 days.

We considered it a great blessing, during her illness, that so many friends came to visit her and speak encouraging words, and also especially that we were close enough to our own church so that she could be with her Sunday school class nearly every Sunday, could take part in the prayer meetings and could hear our own minister right from our own church. All this helped her to overcome many difficult hours.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband John, one daughter Thelma, three sons Ronald, Edwin and Irvin, seven brothers, six sisters, two daughters-in-law, two grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. — John Andres and family.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Whitewater, Kansas
Daughter of Johannes H. and Elizabeth (Thierstein) Claassen
Married John G. Andres 1922 May 11, Whitewater, Kansas

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
See Matilda Marie Claassen for individual photo

Sources:
E. G. Classen's; Abraham Claassen ... p. 68 & 82
Grandma database Profile #229687