Frey, Herman J. (1890-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Apr 3 p. 15

Birth date: 1890 Apr 6

text of obituary:

Herman J. Frey, Sohn von Jakob und Eva Wedel Frey ward am 6. April 1890 nahe Goessel, Kansas geboren und starb am 10. Febr. 1945 bei Fredonia, Kansas im Alter von 54 J. 10 M. und 4 Tagen. Er besuchte die Grünfeld Schule als Knabe und ward am 30. Mai 1909 von Pred. H. R. Voth in der Tabor Kirche getauft. Am 19. August 1914 heiratete er Anna Nikkel, getraut von Pred. P. H. Unruh, und es wurden ihnen 4 Kinder geboren. 1915 zog die Familie nach Watova, Okla., kehrte aber bald zurück nach Goessel und wohnte hier bis sie in 1938 nach Fredonia, Kans. übersiedelte. Außer 5 Jahre im Geschäft in Goessel, hat der Heimgerufene immer auf der Farm gewohnt. Er war Glied der Tabor Gemeinde, hat aber in Fredonia geholfen eine Sonntagsschule anzufangen. Das Wohlergehen seiner Familie lag ihm am Herzen und er brachte viel Zeit im Gebet für sie und andere zu. Er liebte Musik und in seinen jungen Jahren spielte er verschiedene Instrumente. Die letzten Jahre machte er in seiner Werkstätte Handarbeiten aus Holz und beschenkte gerne andere damit. Er war viel krank, und gesuchte medizinische Hilfe gab wenig Erleichterung. Januar 1944 erkrankte er ernstlich. Am 8. Febr. 1945 meinte er zu seiner Familie, er fühle besonders wohl, doch Tages darauf klagte er über Müdigkeit, und am 10. Feb. rief ihn der Herr heim. Sechs Brüder: Heinrich, David, Albert, Cornelius, Jakob und Peter, 1 Schwester, Marie und 1 Schwiegersohn, Marvin Schmidt, sind gestorben. Sein Vater starb 1898 und die Mutter 1917. Er hinterläßt, nebst Gattin, 4 Kinder: Frau Elma Schmidt, Abe, Rosella und Elfrieda daheim, 2 Großkinder und die folgenden Geschwister: Pred. Gustav Frey, Moundridge; Frau J. J. Franz, Newton; Frau George Pankratz, Newton; Frau John J. Unruh, Bakersfield, Calif. und viele Freunde.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Feb 15 p. 5

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Relatives here received word of the death of Herman Frey of Fredonia who passed away on Saturday, February 10,m at 9 o'clock. The funeral will be on Thursday, February 15, at 2 o'clock at the Tabor Mennonite Church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Feb 22 p. 3

text of obituary:

HERMAN J. FREY

Herman J. Frey, son of Jacob and Eva Wedel Frey, was born near Goessel, Kansas, on April 6, 1890, and departed from this life at Fredonia, Kansas, on February 10, 45.

In 1898 his father passed away. He attended country school in the Greenfield community, but was unable to complete his school work because of responsibilities in the home. In later life he always regretted not having had more opportunity for education, because he kneely [sic] felt this inadequacy in his work in the church. He was converted and baptized by Elder H. R. Voth at the Tabor Mennonite church on May 30, 1900.

On August 19, 1914, he was united in holy matrimony with Anna Nikkel by the Rev. P. H. Unruh of the Alexanderwohl church. to this union were born one son and three daughters.

His mother passed away in January of 1917.

In the spring of 1915 he moved his family to Watova, Oklahoma, returning shortly to the Goessel community and living there until 1938, when they moved to Fredonia, Kansas, where he lived until his death.

Outside of the five years in business at Goessel, Kansas he spent his entire life on the farm. Due to illness, he has been physically handicapped most of his lifetime and has frequently sought medical aid, but without relief.

He was a great lover of music and in his younger years enjoyed playing numerous instruments. He spent his latter years in his workshop doing wood handicraft. He enjoyed making gifts for his children, grandchildren and friends.

He was a member of the Tabor Mennonite church until the time of his death. When he, with his family, moved to Fredonia, he helped to organize a Sunday School and was deeply interested in its development. His great desire was to see this Sun-School [sic] become a growing and self-supporting congregation of worshippers.

He spent much time in prayer concerning the welfare of his family and friends. We will greatly miss the personal prayers upward from his lips.

He became seriously ill in January 1944, and never fully recovered. On February 8, 1945, he had remarked to his family that he felt especially well but on the following day he complained of being tired. On the morning of February 10, shortly before nine o'clock, he quietly went to be with his Lord and master. He reached the age of 54 years, 10 months and four days.

He was preceded in death by six brothers: David, Henry, Albert, Cornelius, Jacob and Peter; one sister, Mary, who died in infancy, and a son-in-law, Marvin Schmidt, who died in 1942. Father's deep sorrow at the death of his son-in-law was expressed in these words, "A part of my life went into the grave with him."

He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, Mrs. Anna Frey, with whom he lived in happy union for almost 31 years, and four children: Mrs. Elma Schmidt, Abe, Rosella, and Elfrieda of the home; also two grandchildren, Bobby and Duane. His surviving brother and sisters are: Rev. Gustav Frey, Moundridge; Mrs. J. J. Franz and Mrs. George Pankratz, both of Newton, and [sic Mrs.] John J. Unruh, Bakersfield, California. with those who mourn his passing are many nephews and nieces, and a host of relatives and friends.

Father was tired and weary,
Weary with toil and with pain;
Put up his glasses and rocker,
He will not need them again.

Into heaven's mansions he's entered,
Never to sigh nor to weep;
After long years with life's struggles
Father has fallen asleep.

Beautiful rest for the weary,
Well deserved rest for the true;
When our life's journey is ended,
We shall again be with you.

Funeral services were held at the Tabor Mennonite church Thursday afternoon, Feb. 15, where words of comfort were spoken by Rev. P. H. Richert on Romans 10:13, and by Rev. J. J. Voth on Heb. 6:18-20.

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Mar 13 p. 11