Fehdrau, Jacob (1875-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Oct 19 p. 7

Birth date: 1875 Nov 25

text of obituary:

EARLY IMMIGRANT TO KANSAS CALLED

Inman, Kans. — Jacob Fehdrau, 75, pioneer resident who came to the Inman community from South Russia at the age of four, died at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel, on Oct. 9. He was a retired farmer. Funeral services at the Bethel Mennonite church, of which he was a member, were in charge of Rev. J. P. Balzer, Rev Dietrich Friesen and Rev. Wm. Jassmann. He leaves his wife, eight daughters, 24 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Nov 9 p. 7

text of obituary:

JACOB FEHDRAU

Jacob Fehdrau, son of Aaron and Maria (Willems) Fehdrau, was born Nov. 25, 1875, in the village of Fuerstenwerder, South Russia. At the age of four he migrated to America with his parents and they settled near Inman, McPherson county, Ks. At the age of four he was adopted and raised to manhood by his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. John Willems. Here he received some years of elementary education.

On June 7, 1897, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by Rev. Dietrich Gaeddert and received into the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church. In 1920 he transferred his membership to the Bethel Mennonite church near Inman, Kansas. He was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and he loved to attend church services whenever possible. He loved music and was glad when his children and grandchildren would gather around him and sing Gospel songs. He was a beloved and praying father in the family circle and appreciated friends in the wider circle of acquaintances.

On Nov. 15, 1900, he was united n marriage to Sarah Androes with whom he shared Joys and hardships for 49 years, 10 months and 24 days. They made their home on a farm southeast of Inman until 1937, when they moved to Inman where he resided until his death. Eight daughters were born to this union. In 1925 a group of relatives and friends helped them celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.

He enjoyed good health throughout his life until Sept. 9 when he began to lose weight and complained of not feeling well, but didn’t give it much consideration. On September 19 he consulted a physician but his condition did not improve. On Oct. 6, he entered the Goessel hospital where he underwent surgery on Sunday, Oct. 8, but even the best medical attention aided by nurses' tender care could not drive away the grim messenger of death. On Monday, Oct. 9, 1950, at 6:00 pm it pleased our Heavenly Father to quietly take him home and relieve him of all of his suffering. His cheerfulness and companionship will be greatly missed. He reached the age of 74 years, 10 months and 14 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved wife, eight daughters and their husbands, Eva and John D. Regehr, Helen and Geo. T. Regehr, Mary and Frank T. Neufeld, Esther and Aaron D. Regehr, Hilda and Dick F. Ediger, all of Inman, Kans., Sarah and Geo. A. Pauls of McPherson, Kans., Dora and Herman N. Schierling, Agnes and Clayton C. Thomas of of [sic] Hutchinson, Kans.; 24 grandchildren and one great grandchild; two sisters, Mrs. John K. Warkentine and Mrs. A. H. Toews, both of Inman, and one brother, Henry Fehdrau of Buhler, Kans., and a host of relatives and friends.

His parents, four brothers, one sister and one grandchild preceded him in death.

We mourn not as if we had lost our beloved husband and father forever. He has only preceded us and is with the Lord and sooner or later we too shall follow. — The bereaved family.