Basinger, Caroline Schumacher (1882-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Feb 22 p. 7

Birth date: 1882 February 28, Ohio
Date of Death: 1951 February 12, Iowa

text of obituary:

MRS. ELMER BASINGER

Mrs. Elmer Basinger, daughter of Jacob and Dinah Oberli Schumacher, was born at Bluffton Ohio, on February 28, 1882.

For many years she had been suffering hypertension and had been under almost constant medical treatment. On Sunday, Feb. 11 she attended Sunday school and church services as usual at Zion Mennonite church, Donnellson, Iowa, but upon arriving home from church, she complained of a severe headache, and lay upon the davenport to rest. In a few minutes she lapsed into unconsciousness and remained so until her death. On Sunday evening she was taken to Graham hospital, Koekuk [sic Keokuk], when she passed away at 9:30 on Monday morning, February 12. She attained the age of 68 years, 11 months, and 14 days.

Mrs. Basinger received her education and early training in the Bluffton community, where she resided until 1918, when she moved with her husband and family to Freeman, South Dakota where her husband was pastor of Bethany Mennonite church. She also helped to serve in Mennonite churches at Wayland, Iowa, Summerfield, Illinois, and Donnellson, Iowa. She was always an active member of the Women’s missionary societies and served as teacher and superintendent in the children’s department in several of these churches. She was very helpful in pastoral calling, and was always deeply interested in the work and the welfare of the church.

In her early youth she made a public confession of her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour, and was received into the fellowship of the large Swiss Mennonite church at Bluffton and Pandora, Ohio.

On May 5, 1907, she was united in marriage with Elmer Basinger, by Rev. Otto Leichty at the home of her father in Bluffton, Ohio. They were permitted to live in this happy union for almost 44 years. Her husband received his college and seminary training after he was married. Through her thrift and careful planning, and by assisting her husband in janitor work at the college, and by taking in roomers, her husband was able to secure his professional degrees.

This union was blessed with six children, four daughters and two sons, all of whom survive. She leaves to mourn her sudden departure, her deeply bereaved husband, Rev. Elmer Basinger, four daughters, Mrs. LaVerne D. Geiger of Washington Grove, Maryland, Mrs. Edward T. Hirstein, of Golconda, Illinois, Mrs. Ralph G. Ruth of Rifle, Colorado, and Mrs. Edward L. Fiedler of Morton, Illinois; two sons, LaVerne E. Basinger of Juincy [sic Quincy], Illinois, and Rev. Carlus O. Basinger of Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Hulda Morse of Penny Farms, Florida, Mrs. Homer Luginbuhl of Toledo, Ohio, and one brother, Menno Schumacher of Dayton, Ohio. She also leaves many nephews and nieces and relatives and friends to mourn her departure. Her parents, one brother, and four sisters preceded her in death.

She was a good wife, a kind mother, and friendly neighbor, and will be greatly missed by everyone.

Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, Febr. 15. A brief service was held at the parsonage which was in charge of Rev. J. Derrill Gohde, pastor of the Evangelical-Reformed church of Donnellson. The main service was held at the Zion Mennonite church and was in charge of Rev E. S. Mullett of the Wayland Mennonite church. He was assisted by Dr. F. A. Gageby, pastor of the Donnellson Presbyterian church.

A ladies quartet sang the hymns, "Be Still My Soul” and "Jesus Lover of My Soul.” The quartet was composed of Mrs. Howard Leisy, Lillian, Mary and Hilda Krehbiel. A mixed quartet consisting of Mrs. Frank Gaylord, Lillian Krehbiel, Richard Krebill and Rudy Krehbiel, sang the hymn, "My Jesus as Thou Wilt.”

Members of the church council served as pall bearers. They were Otto C. Krehbiel, Walter Koller, Church Krehbiel, Faeet J. Krehbill, and Walter Sprenger.

Interment was made in the Zion Mennonite cemetery near Donnellson.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Bluffton, Ohio
Daughter of Jacob and Dinah (Oberli) Schumacher
Married Elmer Basinger 1907 May 5, Bluffton, Ohio (wife 1)
Homemaker -- South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
See Elmer Basinger (1882-1958) for family photo

Sources:
MWR 1951 Fe 23, p. 7
Wo's Who ... Menn. (husband)
Grandma Online profile 780468
Find A Grave 117748668