Balzer, Tena Froese (1893-1941)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Apr 23 p. 6

Birth date: 1893 Apr 10

text of obituary:

Mrs. Otto C. Balzer

Mrs. Otto C. Balzer, nee Tena Froese, was born on April 10, 1893, on a farm near Inman, Kansas. Her home has always been near Inman. her school training was received at the Blaze Fork school.

On June 2, 1912, she was baptized by Elder Abraham Ratzlaff and taken into the Hoffnungsau church, of which she remained a member until the Inman Mennonite Church was organized. later she affiliated with the Evangelical and Reformed Church of Inman.

On August 13, 1916, she was united in marriage to Otto C. Balzer, her now deeply bereaved husband. l This union was blessed with two children, one daughter, Mildred, and one son, Richard. For twenty-four years, eight months and fifteen days, they shared their joys and sorrows. She was a kind wife and a loving mother, and gladly sacrificed for her family.

For the last few years she suffered more or less, but never complained. In January of this year, her condition became more critical and a physician's aid was sought, with seemingly no relief. On February 22, she was taken on to the Grace Hospital in Hutchinson, where, after a minor operation, she was found to have cancer. No hope for her recovery was given. After much thoughtful consideration, she was taken to the Southwestern Osteopathic Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, on February 27. On March 3 she submitted to another operation, only to find that her case of cancer was too far advanced to be helped. While in the hospital the Lord Jesus Christ became a reality of which she gladly testified. On march 15, she was taken to her home at Inman, Kansas, where she was under a special nurse's care until her end.

She suffered much, but bravely, to the end. At 10 o'clock in the evening of April3, she fell into a coma, never to regain consciousness. On Friday morning, April 4, at 9:30, she passed away. She attained the age of 48 years, less 6 days.

She leaves to mourn, besides her husband and children, her mother, Mrs. Sarah Froese of Inman, and six brothers and one sister: Jacob K., Herman and Gus of Hutchinson; Henry K. of Hydro, Okla.; John J., Cornelius J., and Mrs. Marie Abrahams of Inman, Kansas.

The funeral services were held at the Evangelical church on Monday afternoon, April 7. Rev. J. P. Balzer officiated and was assisted by Rev. Carl H. Schmidt and Rev. J. E. Kaufman. Musical selections were rendered by mixed quartets. Burial was in the Inman cemetery.