Balmer, Ferdinand (1865-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Apr 12 p. 8

Birth date: 1865 Dec 13

text of obituary:

FERDINAND BALMER

Ferdinand Balmer, son of Jonah and Mary (Knops) Balmer was born December 13, 1865, near Traumlau, Switzerland; died March 30, 1951, of a cerebral hemorrhage, in Galloway hospital at Anthony, Kansas, age 85 years, three months and 17 days.

At the age of 21 years he came to the United States and lived near Dalton, Ohio for six years. From Ohio he came to Harper, Kansas where he was united in marriage to Lina Gerber on March 26, 1893, who preceded him in death nearly 17 years ago.

As a child he was brought up in a Lutheran home and became a member of that church. Upon coming to the United States, he became a member of the Sonnenberg Mennonite church in Ohio. When he moved to Harper, Kansas, he transferred his membership to Pleasant Valley Mennonite church to which he remained faithful until death. The children are grateful to God for parents who lived a life of simple, trust and faith in Him.

He leaves to mourn his sudden passing six daughter [sic], Lavine (Mrs. A. P. Hartzler, Wichita, Kansas), Lillie, (Mrs. John Roupp, Hesston, Kansas), Della, (Mrs. Ura Hostetler, Harper, Kansas), Dessie, (Mrs. Henry Headrick, La Junta; Colorado), Ruth, (Mrs. Amra H. Hostetler, Harper, Kansas), Rena, (Mrs. Vernon Glassburn, Harper, Kansas), with whom he made his home. Also he leaves 30 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Just recently he learned of some of his close relatives in Switzerland through his grandson, Melvin Headrick, who visited his sister Marie. A brother Benjamin also survives. There were four brothers and three sisters in his family. On the day he took sick, he received a letter translated from his sister Marie. He never regained consciousness to hear the letter read.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord,” so we submit ourselves to Him who doeth all things well.

Funeral services were held April 2, 1951, at the Pleasant Valley church in charge of Rev. R. M. Weaver and Rev. W. R. Nafziger. Burial in Pleasant Valley cemetery.