Gaeddert, Justina Klaassen (1874-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Dec 26 p. 8

Birth date: 1874 Dec 8

text of obituary:

MRS. JUSTINA GAEDDERT

Mrs. Justina Gaeddert, our dear mother, was born Dec. 8, 1874, in the village of Koeppenthal near Saratov, Russia.

Her parents were Aaren [sic Aron] and Helena (Esau) Klaassen. In 1884 she with her parents came to America, settling near Beatrice, Neb.

Her home was a Christian one where the Christian way of life was always present. Upon her confession of faith in her Savior she was baptized May 18,1890 by Elder Gerhard Penner.

In 1895 her parents homesteaded in the Washita County area near Shelly, Okla., experiencing the hardships of the early pioneer settlers.

Oct. 1, 1896, father and mother were married by Elder Michael Klaassen, being one of the first couples married in the newly established Herold church near Bessie, Okla. and becoming charter members of this church. Here also mother was active as Sunday School teacher, as seamstress and in many other ways.

Three children were born, two daughters passing away in infancy. One son, Rudolf, is the only child living.

Father passed away March 2, 1948. For a time mother stayed by herself in her home, then for a year at her son's home in Hutchinson, Kan.

From June 5, 1950, till her death the Inman Rest Home was her home where she received Christian care and love for which we cannot be thankful enough. The First Mennonite Church of Hillsboro, of which she and father became members in 1946, was also a blessing to her. Mother remained a member here until her death.

Her last days were painful as she had fallen several times. Her heart finally failed, and her life ended here on earth to be exchanged for eternal bliss with the Lord. She passed away Dec. 7, 1957, at 4:10 p. m. at the ripe age of 83 years less one day.

She leaves behind her son Rudolf and wife Selma; three grandchildren, Alice Pearl and husband Dan L. Schroeder, Milton James and wife Janice, and Gladys Ruth and husband Austin Havens; four great-grandchildren; and one brother, John Klaassen of Tulsa, Okla.

Funeral services were held Dec. 10 at the Inman Rest Home and the First Mennonite Church of Hillsboro, with Rev. H. Leonard Metzker, Rev. Elbert Koontz and Rev. H. T. Unruh officiating. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Jan 21 p. 44