Froese, Maria Epp (1876-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 16 p. 3

Birth date: 1876 Jun 25

text of obituary:

PIONEER SETTLER OF BUHLER COMMUNITY CALLED BY DEATH

Hutchinson, Kans. — Mrs. Mary Froese, early day immigrant from Russia and a resident of Buhler for 45 years, died at St. Elizabeth's hospital here Sunday, July 12. She had lived in Hutchinson with a daughter, Mrs. N. B. Martens, for the past year and a half.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Buhler Mennonite church, of which she was a member.

She is survived by her daughter; two sisters, Mrs. Frank Dirks of Moundridge and Mrs. Geo. Neufeld of Inman; a brother C. C. Epp of Buhler; two half-brothers, A. P. and P. T. Regier, both of Buhler; two grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her husband, John Froese, died in 1927.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jul 30 p.9

text of obituary:

MARIA EPP FROESE

Maria Epp was born in Alexanderwohl, South Russia, on June 25, 1876, the sixth child of Kornelius and Elisabeth Toews Epp. Our parents were then experiencing strenuous times because of the unrest among the Mennonites in regard to emigrating to the United States. Having purchased a full "Wirtschaft" (160 acres), and father being a successful blacksmith, they remained in Russia until 1879. In that year, with many others, we left our comfortable home, traveled by train through Germany, and boarded the ship Switzerland at Antwerp for the U.S.A. The parting of the parents from most of their close relatives was heart rending.

At dusk on July 4, 1879, the family landed at Burrton, Kansas. Old Isaak Klassen took us to their home two miles northwest of the present town of Buhler. In August father purchased 80 acres located two and one-half miles south of Inman. Here he died on Oct. 12, 1879. This bereavement so soon after our arrival was a tremendous shock for our mother. Time heals deep wounds, but often leaves deep scars.

John was 12, Heinrich two, and the other four in between. Heinrich died in November, at which time Maria was a three year old child. She was always a plump girl. She grew up and received her schooling nine miles east of Buhler. She assisted in the household, was always friendly and willing to bear more than her load of care, and this quietly, without disturbance. She was a good sister.

In May 1897 she and my wife, Maria Friesen, were baptized by Rev. Buhler and became members of the Hebron church located three miles east of Buhler. After moving to Buhler her membership was changed to the First Mennonite church of Buhler.

In March 1898 she married John B. Froese of Buhler. He was a progressive, forward looking man, and she a willing helpmate, and they were successful in several endeavors, in business and also in farming. Her husband died in 1927 at their new home in Buhler, leaving her with her daughter Elisabeth and son-in-law Nick Martins [sic Martens]. Mr. Martens died some years ago in a tractor accident. These two bereavements were hard for the mother and daughter to bear, but fair health and good friends provided encouragement and help.

In 1950 Mother Froese's health began to fail somewhat, so her daughter Lise made her home with her. She had always expressed a desire to be close to her daughter and grandchildren, so they moved into a new, modern home in Hutchinson.

Mother and grandmother Froese was a sweet, loving person whose ever pleasant smile was enjoyed by the whole family. Her five great-grandchildren were a great joy to her. She was much concerned about the spiritual welfare of her whole family and prayed constantly for them.

In fairly good health until the last six weeks, she failed rapidly from then on. On July 5, 1953, she was taken to St. Elizabeth hospital in Hutchinson where she was under close observation. She seemed to be improving. All through the week she kept saying, "I want to go home Sunday." But on Sunday July 12, at 10:30 a.m. she succumbed to a heart attack and joyfully met her Saviour and went to her heavenly Home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, four brothers, and one son-in-law, Nick Martens. She leaves one daughter, Elisabeth Martens; one granddaughter, Mildred Dyson and husband Bill Dyson; one grandson, Orville Martens and wife Wilma Jean; five great grandchildren; two sisters, Ida, Mrs. Geo. S. Neufeld, and Elisabeth, Mrs. Frank Dyck, Moundridge; and three brothers, C. C. Epp, A. T. Regier and P. T. Regier, all of Buhler.

One of her favorite Scripture passages was the 23rd Psalm. (Written by her brother, C.C. Epp.)