Ediger, Solomon P. (1888-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 10 p. 6

Birth date: 1888 Mar 24

text of obituary:

. . .

— Solomon P. Ediger, 71, McPherson county retired farmer and a deacon in the Hoffnungsau church near Inman, died Monday morning at the Bethesda hospital in Goessel. Funeral services are announced for Thursday afternoon at the Hoffnungsau church, with Rev. P. K. Regier in charge. Surviving are the widow, Agnes; four sons, three daughters, six brothers, one sister, 25 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Sam Guhr of North Newton is a daughter.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 24 p. 8

text of obituary:

SOLOMAN [sic SOLOMON] P. EDIGER

Soloman [sic Solomon] P. Ediger was born to Peter S. and Maria (Harder) Ediger on March 24, 1888, in McPherson county, near Inman, Kan.

He received his education in a private German school and also attended the South Inman public school for some years. At the age of 16 he lost his father in death, and so shared the responsibilities of providing for the home.

In 1907 he realized his lost condition, and turning to the Saviour in repentance and faith, found forgiveness and peace. He, with others, was instructed by Elder Heinrich Toews and upon confession of faith, was baptized on June 23, 1907, and received into the fellowship of the Bethel Mennonite congregation.

In those days when farm work was not pressing, he worked as carpenter and general laborer for others.

In Agnetha [sic Aganetha] Friesen he found a loving friend who was willing to share and bear the burdens and joys of life with him. They were married on July 28, 1910, by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff, at the home of the bride's parents.

They acquired a farm southeast of Inman which his maternal grandparents had homesteaded and developed since their immigration in 1874, on which stood a sod house built in the pioneer days. immediately after their wedding they moved into this house and continued to live in it for 16 years. In this sod house seven of their eight children were born. One daughter was still born in 1916. In 1927 they tore down the sod house and had a contractor build them a new house, in which they lived until 1957 when they moved to Inman where their children had built a new house for them, which they greatly enjoyed these last few years.

Father enjoyed fairly good health except that at times asthma made breathing difficult. However this condition greatly improved after middle age. The last decade his digestive system was not up to par, demanding careful and temperate consumption of food. This, however, did not keep him from leading an active and helpful life until his confinement to the hospital on Feb. 16, 1960. He submitted to surgery for ulcers of the stomach on March 1, and seemed to improve, but on Friday complications set in and the Lord called him home on Monday, March 7, at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel, Kansas.

At the time of his marriage father transferred his membership to the Hoffnungsau church where he remained a faithful member until the time of his death. Through faithful and willing attendance to the services and the work of the church he soon enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the congregation, which was reflected in entrusting to him the care of the Mission Treasury, in which he found much joy. He was elected to the office of deacon in 1935, which duties he faithfully performed until the time of his death.

In 1935 the parents were privileged to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and in 1955 the 45th anniversary was observed with open house when many relatives and friends came to wish them well. Father was blessed with faith and trust that was not overly concerned about temporal things. His concern, especially for his family, was frequently expressed in his prayer that all might meet again with Christ in Glory.

He was the first of seven brothers to depart this life, reaching 71 years, 11 months and 12 days.

His two parents, sisters and a granddaughter, Barbara Jane, preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his death his widow, Agnes; four sons and their wives, Dick and Hilda Ediger, Pete and Martha Ediger, Jake and Edna Ediger, and Frank and Helen Ediger, all of Inman; three daughters and their husbands, Anna and Arnold Schmidt, Ester [sic Esther] and Leland Nikkel of Moundridge, and Linda and Sam Guhr of Newton; 25 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; six brothers, P. P. of Halstead, J. P. and H. P. of Meade, G. P., J. H. and D. P. of Inman, one sister, Mrs. A. T. Neufeld of Inman, as well as a host of relatives and friends. — The Family.