Bartel, Eva Knels (1852-1930)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1930 Mar 20 p. 7

Birth date: 1852 Sep 19

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1930 Mar 12 p. 7

Eva Knels Bartel

Eva Knels Bartel was born in the Russian Province of Poland on the 19th of September 1852. In her youth she made her peace with God in the acceptance of Christ as her Saviour and thru the covenant of holy baptism on Sept. 10, 1867 united with the Mennonite Church. On Nov. 30, 1871 she was married to Peter Bartel with whom she shared this life for 43 years, when death separated the union on April 19, 1914. This marriage was blessed with 12 children of whom 6 preceded the mother in death in early infancy and two in manhood, namely Abraham in 1918 and Peter in 1928.

In 1874 the family came to America and at first settled at Summerfield, Illinois. The following March they came to Kansas and made their home south of Moundridge. Here the deceased with her husband united with the First Mennonite Church of Christian in Oct. 1875 of which Church she remained a member until death called her.

In September 1928 her health was greatly impaired by a hemmorage of the lungs, which also increased a heart trouble that she had previous to that time. Since that time she was obliged to sit in a chair. A few days before her death her heart trouble increased, nor would it respond to the efforts of the physician, who did his best to alleviate the suffering. The Lord had other plans for her and so she quietly and without a struggle passed away on the afternoon of March 4, 1930. Her age was 77 years, 5 months and 13 days.

In her sufferings she was patient, for she looked up to the Savior for help and comfort. The word of God was dear to her and in her last hours she quoted various passages of scripture. Her last quotation from the scriptures were the words, "They that sow with tears shall reap with joy."

She leaves to mourn her departure two sons, two daughters, three daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, 17 grandchildren, two sisters, besides other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 7. The brethren J. M. Janzen of the Garden Twp. Church and P. P. Wedel of the First Mennonite Church of Christian spoke words of comfort. — Published by request.

The Mennonite obituary: 1930 Mar 20 p. 7