Gaeddert, Henry R. (1895-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Dec 24 p. 6

Birth date: 1895 Nov 18

text of obituary:

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— Henry Gaeddert, 58, well known resident of the Buhler community, died at the Bethesda hospital in Goessel on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Funeral services were held Saturday at the Hoffnungsau church near Inman. He is survived by his wife, two brothers and five sisters, including Mrs. Dave Siemens of Hesston and Mrs. John P. Unruh of Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Dec 31 p. 8

text of obituary:

HENRY R. GAEDDERT

Henry R. Gaeddert, son of David D. and Agatha (Regier) Gaeddert, was born in Reno county, Kansas, just north of his grandfather Rev. Dietrich Gaeddert's place. Henry was born November 18, 1895.

He was still a child when his parents moved into Harvey county, settling on a farm just east of the Paris schoolhouse. Here he grew up, and here he attended school in the Paris schoolhouse, completing the elementary school. Sickness prevented his going farther in his school work and entering the Vereins-Schule, and it seemed that he was never entirely free from the claims of illness in one form or another. Several times he was the victim of pneumonia, with an especially serious case about 25 years ago which left his condition considerably weakened.

On May 28, 1917, he was baptized upon his confession of faith in Christ as his Saviour. He had received catechetical instruction by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff, but because of Rev. Ratzlaff’s illness at the time of baptism the rite of baptism was administered by Rev. P. H. Richert in the Hoffnungsau church. Here Henry became a member of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church, and remained a faithful member the remaining days of his life. He was one who loved the church, and wanted to come to the house of worship whenever his health permitted him to come. Yes, he came sometimes when his health was not good, and when perhaps he should not have come, but if at all possible he was here. We will miss his faithfulness.

On July 29, 1934, he was married to Bertha Janzen of Buhler. With her as a devoted companion he was privileged to share the joys and sorrows of married life for nearly 20 years. In 1946 they moved to their place in Buhler, where they lived the remaining days of his life.

Because of ill health he was not able to do hard labor; yet he worked whenever he could and as long as he could. For more than two years they lived across the road from the Hoffnungsau church and served as custodians of the church when the white frame building was still standing. He loved his work, but it became too hard for him too when his health failed him more and more.

While he was frequently under doctor’s care, it was really not until in June this past summer that he had to be hospitalized. He was taken to the Bethesda hospital, Goessel where he underwent surgery. This seemed to prove successful for a time, and he was able to go home and enjoy better health he thought. But is [sic] was only for a brief time, for soon he had to enter the hospital again, and this time there seemed to be no cure for his ailment. He suffered acutely from being unable to breathe freely, and the difficulty in getting his breath made it impossible for him to lie down the last several weeks. Death came as a very welcome visitor for him, he remarked several times wishing that he might just fall asleep and not awaken. This was granted him on Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, when shortly before nine he quietly fell asleep not to awaken on this side any more. He reached the age of 58 years and 28 days. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them.”

He leaves to mourn his departure his devoted wife, Bertha, who stood by him almost night and day during his prolonged illness. Five sisters: Marie, Mrs. Geo. L. W. Regier, and husband, of Moundridge; Anna, Mrs. John Froese, and husband and family, of Texas; Bertha, Mrs. Frank L. Penner, and husband and family, of Inman; Agatha, Mrs. David Siemens, and husband and family, of Hesston; Justina, Mrs. John Unruh, and husband and family, of Goessel. Also two brothers: David R. and family of Buhler, and Jacob R. and family of Inman. His parents, as well as two brothers and two sisters preceded him in He leaves also 13 nieces and seven nephews, and many other relatives and friends.