Dyck, Anna Rempel (1853-1934)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1934 Jun 5 p. 14

Birth date: 1853

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1934 Jun 20 p. 2

text of obituary:

Anna Rempel Dyck.

Mother had many friends now scattered throughout many parts of the United States and foreign countries who, I believe, will appreciate a brief sketch of her life. As her son I consider it a privilege to pay tribute to her outstanding life of unselfish Christian service.

Our mother was born in Gnadenfeld, South Russia, 1853. Her father was a trusted village counsel and had charge of the charity and orphan funds. Her mother was very active as a social worker and enjoyed much singing with her five daughters.

At the age of 20, she married Peter A. Dyck, the son of a merchant in Pordenau, a village not far distant. Two years later they moved to Wohldemfuerst, a village situated between the Black and the Caspian seas near the Kuban river. It was father’s desire to become a farmer, since mercantile business was distasteful to him. Here mother was very active in her family.

Five boys were born in this new home, including the writer. Although twelve years of age when our parents left the old country, I nevertheless still can clearly visualize the large house tinted in white with a thatched roof and high gables, a large barn which was connected with the house by means of an enclosed hallway and kitchen. There were towering poplar trees shading the buildings and the yard.

Here father and mother joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. There were many fine men and women, including the village teachers, ministers, evangelists and others who frequently came to our home. Without much motion or hesitation it was mother’s custom to speedily and cheerfully serve luncheons to friends and callers. These refreshments were seasoned by her with words of encouragement and Christian service. On several occasions converted Russians who were persecuted by the government on account of their faith gathered in our home at midnight in secret prayer meetings. Since my earliest recollections mother’s faith, conviction and Christian love included men and women not only of her church but of any denomination. She believed in Christian Alliance.

In 1893 father realized that he had five sons who might become subjected to military service. He therefore sold his home in order to leave for America. The trip was so full of experiences and thrills that a long chapter would be required to tell the story. There was the tricky Jew in Warsaw who called in the police at midnight to frighten us, forcing father to pay him 25 Roubles. Mother had a traveling bag, home-made, for each of the five boys, ranging from three to seventeen years old, the size and load according to the physical strength. Each was responsible for his part and we moved in military order, mother in command. She of course had her share including some flower plants, which she carried to the new world. To her end she much appreciated flowers. During her last three months when she could hardly see her flowers on account of failing, eye-sight, she still attended to them with touching tenderness.

The beautiful city of Berlin; twelve days quarantine in Hamburg; eleven days on a rough ocean; the thrill of the New World; the green immigrant in Kansas, how clearly we remember all these experiences.

Dietrich Claassen of Hillsboro, a friend of our family, gave us a most cordial welcome.

Very memorable years were spent near Bethel College, Newton, Kansas. Here father purchased a modest farm of eighty acres without a tree or building. With very little money reserve it required much faith and hard work on the part of our parents to support the family.

Here again relatives and friends, professors and students from Bethel College were friends of our home. Such men as Pres. David Goerz of Bethel College, Prof. C. H. Wedel, P. A. Penner and others joined our family circle. There are former students scattered in all parts of the world whom mother not only served with a home-made “Zwieback” but also inspired him for higher Christian ideals.

An elderly Mennonite mother called at our home with the advice that a few pennies be saved and that our parents should guard against any of the boys running away from home. There has never been the remotest indication that any of the boys had a leaning n that direction at any time. The unfailing love and devotion of our mother, the home atmosphere, and the interest in many social and Christian activities was a bond which always held us together.

One of her greatest sorrows in life was the drowning of her oldest son, Abraham, twenty-one years of age. Since coming to America he was the pride, and the moral and financial support of his parents. Every Saturday he brought his earnings to mother at which time he encouraged the younger brothers to be good and obedient to the parents. On one occasion he even promised each one a watch if we were found worth [sic].

In 1902 father saw an opportunity to improve his financial status by selling his little farm and settling on a larger one near Gotebo, Oklahoma. This venture was full of grief and financially a set-back. During our three year experience our crops were destroyed by hail one year; there was a drought the next year and the third crop was lost through ground hogs and an unscrupulous tenant. However, here again we had a fine circle of friends, although belonging to different churches, our home was a common meeting ground.

A young evangelist came to our church and our home. One day mother told him, that to her observation he was not using the word “Jesus” enough in his sermons. This suggestion was appreciated by him and a marked improvement in his preaching was the result.

In 1905 mother was seriously ill and a trip to California was contemplated as the only chance for her recovery. Although she was very sick during the trip, she immediately began to improve in health after we landed in Los Angeles. In California our parents enjoyed in many ways the twilight of their life.

In 1914 mother had the unusual joy of going to Europe and visiting her brother and sisters in company with father, John, and Martha. This was probably one of the crowning events of her eventful life. In her appreciation she wrote a book entitled “Our trip to Europe in 1914" in German.

All her brothers and sisters from a family of eight children have gone to their reward with the exception of a younger brother, Johannes Rempel in Germany. This brother has been unusually true to her and has written the kindest letters breathing love and devotion.

Our dear father died shortly after returning from Europe. During a three week period of serious illness mother sat by his bed-side night after night and singing to him with her clear voice, making use of some of the 200 or more German chorals and songs she knew from memory.

Since father’s death mother and sister Martha have lived together in the happiest relationship that can possibly exist between mother and daughter. Martha from her early youth was afflicted with some ear trouble. After her high school training Martha was urged by mother to prepare for teaching, trusting God to restore her hearing. During her study her condition was much improved. Again mother urged to move to Glendale to obtain a school appointment. Also in this there was success. In Glendale she spent the ten last years, happy and always active.

Every Christmas was a memorable event in her home with all children and grandchildren. Her eighty-first birthday was observed in February with some of her friends. She was unusually happy and thankful. It is my impression that she was never more radiant in her joy, not knowing it would be her last on earth.

Mother was very sympathetic with lonesome, sick and destitute people. She was instrumental in sending considerable sums of money to starving relatives and other Mennonites in Russia. Although she was at all times prepared to meet her Lord, she wanted to stay with us a little longer, especially on account of Martha; this was evidenced by the very keen interest she had in every worthy activity.

In spite of her limited eyesight she wrote an auto-biography of several hundred pages during the last few years which has not been finished. She firmly believed and trusted that her condition would be improved in order to finish this work.

Her last illness had its inception immediately following Easter. She suffered from almost complete insomnia and circulatory failure. During the last four days she was unconscious. A few days before her death she called all member to her bed and offered a most fervent prayer. Her last words were “Safe in the arms of Jesus.”

She went to her Heavenly Home on May 23rd at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 12 days. She is survived by one daughter, four sons, and six grandchildren, all of whom live in the immediate vicinity of Los Angeles and Glendale.

Rev. H. J. Krehbiel, Rev. D. D. Eitzen and Rev. Hunter officiated at the funeral which was held in Glendale, May 26th.

In the name of our family I wish to express our highest appreciation for the kindness shown mother during her life and her last sickness, and the sympathy expressed at the funeral in words and in letters.

Her life has been my greatest inspiration and her memory shall remain my dearest possession.

P. R. Dyck

The Mennonite obituary: 1934 Jun 19 p. 22
The Mennonite obituary: 1934 Jul 3 p. 20