Brenneman, Lydia Zimmerman (1876-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Jan 21 p. 8

Birth date: 1876 Sep 20

text of obituary:

MRS. LYDIA BRENNEMAN

Lydia Zimmerman Brenneman was born in Iowa county, Iowa on Sept. 20, 1876, the daughter of John and Catherine Zimmerman, who were the first Mennonite family to locate in McPherson county, Kan.

She was the ninth child in a family of seven sons and five daughters. Her mother passed away in 1883. Also born to her father and step-mother were twins, a son and a daughter. Her father passed away in 1923. Of this family two are yet living: Mrs. Amelia Troyer of Crystal Springs, Kan. and Mrs. Sarah Hershberger of Elkhart, ind.

Mother, whose residence was at 1212 Mercy St. in Iowa City, Ia., passed to her eternal reward on Dec. 10, 1959, at Mercy hospital in Iowa City, age 83 years, two months and 20 days. In her long, useful and unselfish life she experienced very little sickness. In her last illness of only one month she had very little pain. She never complained and to the last was thinking always of others. Her tender mother love has touched many lives.

We believe she was preparing for the journey. Her eyesight was failing and she was heard repeating Bible verses. One verse, Jn. 14: 3, 27, she marked”considered most precious.”

On Sept. 17, 1899 she was united in holy matrimony with Jacob C. Brenneman, who preceded her on Oct. 1, 1932. Also preceding her was one son, Ora R., one daughter, Orpha E., and one granddaughter, Ardith A.. Those sustaining the loss of mother are: Lloyd J., Noah V., and J. Homer of Kalona, Ia., Ola A. of the home address, Delmar R. of Oskaloosa, Ia., Hilda M., Mrs. Emery D. King of Harrisonburg, Va., and Freda F., Mrs. Earl H. Bush of Iowa City, Ia. Also there remain 25 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many friends and neighbors.

She was a faithful member of the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite church where funeral services were held on Dec. 12, 1959 in charge of Robert K. Yoder, assisted by J. Y. Swartzendruber, with burial in the nearby cemetery. Text Phil 1:21. — The Family.