Gaeddert, Franz (1863-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 31 p. 6

Birth date: 1863

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Franz Gaeddert, aged resident of the Buhler community, were held at the Hoffnungsau church last Friday, with Rev. A. J. Dyck and Rev. Elbert Koontz in charge.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Jul 19 p. 9

text of obituary:

FRANZ GAEDDERT

Franz Gaeddert, son of Jacob Gaeddert and Sarah Janzen Gaeddert, was born in the village of Alexanderwohl, South Russia on November 14, 1863.

Together with his parents he came to America in 1874 and found his home on the prairies of Kansas, east of the present town of Buhler. He received his education in the elementary school and in a church school established in his neighborhood.

On Nov. 4, 1888, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith in Jesus as his personal Saviour by Rev. Dietrich Gaeddert and accepted as a member of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church, whose faithful member he remained to the end. He loved his church and served for some time as a trustee.

On May 1, 1896, he was united in marriage to Anna Klassen with whom he was permitted to share joys and hardships for 48 years, when on March 19, 1944, she preceded him into the Great Beyond. They lived on a farm east of Buhler during this time except for a few years when they lived in Oklahoma. Three children blessed this marriage, all of whom were permitted to be at his funeral.

He was healthy almost all of his life but a few years ago he began to suffer from rheumatism which at times caused him much pain and made walking difficult. A little over a year ago his health began to fail and he was taken to the Bethel hospital at Newton. He regained fair health again so several times he could attend church services. On Thursday evening, May 17, he suffered a light stroke and a harder one the next day and never regained consciousness again after the second stroke. He passed away quietly on May 22, 1951, at 7:00 p. m. to be forever with his Lord and Saviour whom he believed and trusted to the end. He reached the age of 87 years, six months and eight days.

We tender him his rest even though our hearts are sad and our teardrops flow. We say, “Till we meet again in the presence of Christ our Saviour.”

He leaves to mourn his departure, one son, Frank F. and wife of Buhler, Kans., and two daughters, Elizabeth and Anna of the home; also six grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. P. C. Ratzlaff, and other relatives and friends. — The bereaved family.