Esau, Abraham T. (1902-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Nov 26 p. 8

Birth date: 1902 Dec 18

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM T. ESAU

Abraham T. Esau, the oldest child of Gerhard and Anna Toews Esau, was born on a farm near Inman, Kansas, on Dec. 18, 1902, where he spent his early childhood years.

In February 1911 the family moved to Collinsville, Okla. where Abe attended the Eureka public school. In 1919 the family moved back to Kansas and settled on a farm about four miles east of Buhler where Abe became the right hand of father in the work of the farm. There he gave his strength and energy, toiling to rescue the farm which had been bought at First World War prices, which were followed by crop failures and the depression years. He stayed at home on the farm all of his life. He deeply felt the loss of his mother, who passed away on Nov. 30, 1942. In the spring of 1951 he suffered a stroke which impaired his health to the extent that he never aqain could work as before.

When father passed away on June 11, 1957 it became clear that he and his sister Sarah could no longer manage the farm so they went to South Texas to assist in the work of their brother and sister-in0law, Rev. and Mrs. H. T. Esau. The complete change of climate and environment had a healing effect on Abe so that he improved greatly. There in completely new surroundings among the Mexican people he rallied to take over more and more of the garden and yard work as well as the cleaning of the mission buildings. The yard became his joy and pride. These last years were among the happiest of his life, for he realized he was useful and needed in giving forth the Gospel.

By the end of August we noticed his strength had begun to fail rapidly, and an examination revealed that surgery would be necessary to try to save his life, which was performed on Sept. 24, 1959. A malignant growth was removed but even before he left the hospital it became evident that the disease had spread into the liver. He was cared for in the home but towards the last he looked for release from this earthly body, which came on Nov. 7, 1959. He attained the age of 56 years, 10 months,and 20 days.

Naturally quiet and reserved, Abe nevertheless was subject to many deep spiritual battles. He accepted the Lord as his Saviour and was baptized on July 1, 1934 and received into the M. B. church at Buhler, Kansas where he retained his membership until he transferred to the M. B. church at Premont, Texas.

He attended church services as long as he was able and read the Bible faithfully. He had joy to report on Sunday evenings in the Mission how many Bible verses he had read or listened to during the week. Towards the last his speech was impaired so he spoke but little, but gave the assurance he trusted in the Lord and was willing to go home when the Lord would call him.

He is survived by two sisters, Sarah of the home, Margaret and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Koop of Hutchinson, Kansas; and two brothers and their wives, Rev. and Mrs. H. T. Esau of Premont, Texas and Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Esau of Buhler, Kansas, as well as their nephews and two nieces and many relatives and friends.