Bartel, Sarah Regier (1879-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Dec 22 p. 3

Birth date: 1879 May 6

text of obituary:

MRS. SARAH BARTEL

Mrs. Sarah Bartel, nee Regier, was born May 6, 1879, near Moundridge, Kans. She peacefully passed on to be with the Lord at 1:10 a. m. on Dec. 3, 1949, reaching the age of 70 years, six months and four weeks.

She received her school training, both English and German, near Moundridge, where she also spent her youthful years until the time of her marriage.

On Oct 18, 1896, she was united in marriage to Henry H. Bartel. Soon after their marriage, they both saw their lost condition, accepted the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour and were baptized by Abraham Schellenberg and became members of the Mennonite Brethren church, Buhler, Kans. She remained a faithful member of the Mennonite Brethren church until the end. This union was blessed with four daughters and two sons. One daughter, as an infant preceded her in death. All of the children have accepted their mother's Saviour and together with their father were near her bedside when she was promoted into her heavenly Home.

She was a faithful Christian and a peaceful and a wonderful wife and mother in the home. She enjoyed sociability and loved to show hospitality. Each problem, no matter how grave, could be faced with quiet confidence in the Lord. She always carried her cross with a smile. Her strength came from the Word of God and Gospel songs. Her favorite passage of Scripture was, "Seek peace and pursue it,” and truly she was a peace-maker. Some of the songs that meant much to her were, "On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand" and "Unclouded Day."

She and father had the privilege with the children and relatives and a host of friends to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary, and again with some of the children gave thanks for God’s sustaining grace and keeping power at their 53rd wedding anniversary, Oct 18, 1949.

She and her husband lived in Oklahoma until Feb. 1940, when they moved to Bakersfield, Calif. She had enjoyed comparatively good health until a few years ago, when she started having gall-bladder attacks. This ailment increased, so last August they moved to Dinuba, Calif., to live near their children, Mr. and Mrs. John Litke, Mrs. Litke being a registered nurse. On Sept. 19, 1949, she submitted to surgery but her condition was beyond medical aid. After a few days of hospitalization, she was taken home and cared for by her husband and children.

Through these trying days God was very near to her. She received many blessings from the radio in listening to spiritual programs, especially the Sunday morning services of the Mennonite Brethren church, Dinuba, Calif.

She leaves to mourn her departure her sorrowing husband, Henry H. Bartel; five children, Mrs. Marie Litke of Dinuba, Calif., Mrs. Martha Kliewer and Mrs. Linda Mae Grunau of Fresno, Calif., Henry R. Bartel of Bakersfield, Calif., Alvin R. Bartel of Los Angeles, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Lena Klingenberg, age 91, Reedley, Calif.; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a host of relatives and friends.