Doell, Sarah Epp (1879-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 May 24 p. 8

Birth date: 1879 Jul 27

text of obituary:

MRS. GERHARD W. DOELL

Sarah Epp Doell, our mother, daughter of Heinrich Epp and Sarah Friesen Epp, was born July 27, 18979, in York County, Neb. She lived in the Henderson community during her entire life, making her home on the farm and in her later years in the village of Henderson.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith June 7, 1897, by Elder Peter J. Friesen, and remained a faithful member of the Bethesda Mennonite Church until her death.

She was united in marriage with Gerhard W. Doell on Nov. 29, 1898. the home was blessed with eight children: Gerhard, who died in infancy; Agnes, Mrs. Isaac K. Friesen; Anna, Mrs. John M. Goosen of Palm Desert, Calif.; Clara, Mrs. Albert Epp, North Newton, Kansas; John; Alma, Mrs. Edward H. Epp; George, who passed away at the age of 10 years; and Alvin of Denver, Colo.

Mother had been in failing health during the past several years. The last six weeks of her life she and father lived in the Isaac K. Friesen home, where she entered her final rest on Wednesday afternoon, May 9, 1956. She reached the age of 76 years, nine months and 12 days.

Mother was a constant companion to father. In her early married life she helped him bring in the new-mown hay and stack the sheaves of wheat and oats, and in less busy times father helped her redecorate the house. She insisted on regular church attendance and took her children to church and opened her home to their friends. She was often found praying for her family and the needs of the world.

Her wants were few and what she had she willingly gave away. She was interested in Conference schools and often opened her home to solicitors, supporting them financially and in prayer. In her last weeks here on earth we often came to her and found her asking the Lord to take her home. She quietly and peacefully went to sleep to be with Him forever. She has left as a challenge to keep the Faith and a new assurance that prayer is answered. We mourn because we miss her, yet we are filled with joy because of her strong faith.

She leaves her husband; six children; two daughters-in-law, Malinda, Mrs. John R. Doll [sic Doell], and Kathleen, Mrs. Alvin Doell; four sons-in-law, Isaac K. Friesen, John M. Goosen, Albert Epp, and Edward H. Epp; 15 grandchildren, (two preceded her in death); 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Peter H. Epp (Cornelius, Heinrich, John and Jacob preceded her in death); five sisters-in-law, Mrs. Peter Plett, Mrs. Isaac Doell, Mrs. Henry A. Peters, Mrs. Jacob H. Doell, and Mrs. John H. Epp; two brothers-in-law, Peter C. Friesen and Peter J. Doell; and many other relatives and frieds. — The Family.