Fretz, Mary Rickert (1889-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 May 9 p. 8

Birth date: 1889 Sep 25

text of obituary:

MARY RICKERT FRETZ

Mary Rickert Fretz, daughter of Isaac F. and Lavina Fretz Rickert, was born Sept. 25,1889, in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Penna.

She was baptized on confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior by Pastor Allen M. Fretz, and became a member of the Deep run Mennonite Church (General Conference). She was married to Jacob R. Fretz at her parental home by Pastor Allen M. Fretz on June 15, 1910. They lived their entire married life in Lansdale, Penna. where three sons were born and reared.

For some years she taught a primary class at the Deep Run congregation, and in 1930 when the Grace Mennonite Church was organized to teach primary children for many years to follow. For a number of years she served as Eastern District Sewing Supervisor of the General Conference Mennonite Church. In spite of a limited education she was active in church and civic organizations in Lansdale, serving as president of the local branch of the Needlework Guild of America, and as director of the Lansdale Community Service.

She will be remembered as a willing and gracious hostess by scores of visiting ministers, missionaries, teachers and church guests.

After nine years of failing health when she could no longer serve as before, she passed on to be with the Lord on April 23,1957, at the age of 67 years.

Her death occasions the first funeral in the new Grace Church building. Those who remain include her husband, Jacob; three sons, Millard of Wichita, Kansas; Stanley of Lansdale; and Herbert of Freeman, S. D.; three daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren. Two brothers Clayton Rickert, preceded her in death.

The funeral was held Saturday, April 27, 1957, at the Grace Church, Lansdale, with her pastor, Elmer Friesen, preaching on I Cor. 15:37. A brief service was held at Deep Run Church, with pastors Claude Boyer, Arthur Rosenberger and Freeman Swartz taking part, and burial was made in the Deep Run cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1957 May 21 p. 334