Ediger, Jacob B. (1876-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Apr 22 p. 1

Birth date: 1876 Dec 8

text of obituary:

Retired Missionary To Indians Dies

REV. J. B. EDIGER OF BUHLER SERVED IN OKLAHOMA 40 YEARS

Buhler, Kans.—Funeral services for Rev. Jacob B. Ediger, retired missionary to the American Indians in Oklahoma, were held Monday afternoon, April 19, at the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church. Officiating ministers were Rev. Albert Gaeddert and Rev. C. H. Voth of Inman and Rev. Arthur Friesen of Clinton, Okla.

Rev. Ediger passed away at the Bethel Deaconess hospital in Newton Thursday afternoon, April 15, after a long period of ill health.

Born in McPherson county, Kans. On Dec. 8, 1876, he was a teacher in district schools before taking up work among the Indians in southwestern Oklahoma under the General Conference Board of Foreign Missions in 1907. He was assisted in the years of missionary labor by his wife, the former Agatha Regier, to whom he was married Aug. 28, 1902, at Moundridge, Kans.

Surviving in addition to Mrs. Ediger are six sons and two daughters, three brothers, two sisters, and a number of grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 May 13 p. 9

text of obituary:

JACOB B. EDIGER

Jacob B. Ediger, son of Jacob D. and Katharine Harder Ediger, was born in McPherson county, Kansas on Dec. 8, 1876, and spent his early childhood there. He received his elementary education in the district schools near his home. He attended the Little River Township Preparatory school four years and was then qualified for further study. He attended Bethel College four years and was graduated with the class of 1900. He taught in the various rural schools for seven years. In 1905 he was granted the Professional Teachers Life certificate.

He accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour, was baptized and became a member of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church on July 8, 1894.

He was united in marriage with Agatha Regier on Aug. 28, 1902. We were permitted to share earth's joys and sorrows for 51 years and eight months.

In the fall of 1906 we received the call from the Foreign Mission Board of the Mennonite General Conference to become missionaries. Our ordination services were held Jan. 13, 1907, in the Hoffnungsau church. In 1910 my husband returned to the home church and was ordained as elder.

We began our work as missionaries to the Cheyenne Indians at Clinton, Okla. May 25, 1907. Later the Thomas and Hammon districts were added to our responsibilities. In addition to this we undertook a share of sponsoring the religious activities in the Government Indian Boarding School at Concho, Okla.

To this work that was so dear to him he gave every ounce of his energy. Since our three churches and the Indian School were spread over a large territory he was required to do a great deal of driving. He met every obligation cheerfully and drove many miles regardless of adverse weather and poor roads. According to his own records, he delivered 2,819 sermons. He performed 94 marriages; officiated at 322 funerals, of which 288 were Indians.

By the grace of God and His bountiful mercy we could continue our life work to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Cheyenne Indians until the service limit set by the Mission Board had come. After 40 years of service we were released of our responsibilities and left our life work. Often when reminiscing he remarked that it was really much harder to leave the Indians, the other friends and our Oklahoma home than it has been to leave family and friends 40 years before when we took up our work. We established our home in Buhler on June 5, 1947. Here we were surrounded by many relatives and friends, and here we have enjoyed the many visits of our children and grandchildren.

His responsibilities as a father were also conscientiously shouldered. He maintained the family altar and was seriously concerned that his children follow the leading of the Lord. His wish to be the first to break the family circle and join his Saviour has been granted. Especially dear to him were his nine grandchildren.

In spite of a strong physique he endured much physical pain due to severe illnesses. He submitted to two major operations. During his last illness of eight weeks in the Bethel hospital in Newton, he was aware of the seriousness of his condition and expressed the desire to go to his reward. However, he was able to enjoy the many visits, the cards, letters, flowers and especially the beautiful singing that was done for him.

He also enjoyed returning to his home community and especially the Hoffnungsau church. Here we have both enjoyed the many activities and the love and fellowship of our church people. Especially did we enjoy the lovely Golden Wedding Anniversary celebration in 1952, prepared for us by the church, our children and grandchildren.

He passed to his reward on April 15, 1954, thus reaching the age of 77 years, four months and seven days. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15.

He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved wife and the following children with their families: A. C. Ediger, Buhler, Kansas; T. A. Ediger, his wife Rae, and son Donald of New York City; G. A. Ediger and wife, Willy, of Appleton, Wis.; Hilda and husband R. D. Voth and daughters, Judy and Kathy of Goessel, Kansas; O. D. Ediger, his wife Bethel, and children, Gill and Erin of Sinton, Texas; Anne Ruth and her husband, Karl Baehr, and children, Beth and Joel of Garden City, New York; A. L. Ediger of Los Angeles, Calif. (now in Tokyo, Japan); Don Ediger, his wife Lois and daughters Jane and Kay of Kearney, Neb.

Other survivors include three brothers, J. J. of Newton, H. R. and wife Katharine, of Newton, Gus and wife Metta of Woodward, Okla.; two sisters, Mrs. J. B. Martens and husband of Inman, and Mrs. Henry Friesen and husband of Newton. There are also many other relatives and friends. — The Bereaved Wife and Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1954 May 25 p. 327