Gaeddert, Peter D. (1881-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Apr 28 p. 6

Birth date: 1881 May 3

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were conducted at the Bethel College church Monday forenoon for Peter D. Gaeddert, 78, who died unexpectedly at the home on Old Main street Thursday morning following a heart attack. He had suffered an attack several years ago but recovered and was active until the time of his death. A retired farmer and carpenter formerly of Inman, he had lived in Newton since 1936. Surviving are his widow, the former Anna Reimer, two sons, one daughter, five brothers, four sisters and 10 brothers, four sisters and 10 grandchildren. The funeral services were in charge of Rev. Harold Buller of Beatrice, Neb., and burial was made in the Hoffnungsau cemetery near Inman.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 May 5 p. 8

text of obituary:

PETER D. GAEDDERT

Peter D. Gaeddert was born May 3, 1881 and died April 21, 1960, reaching the age of 79 years less 12 days. He was born in a stone house near Buhler, Kansas, the son of Rev. Dietrich and Helena Richert Gaeddert. He was the eldest of a family of 13 children, four of whom have preceded him. He was baptized upon adult confession of faith in the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church on June 16, 1901 by Elder Peter Balzer.

Anna Reimer and Peter D. Gaeddert were united in marriage Jan. 1, 1907 by Elder Abraham Ratzlaff. To this union were born six children, two girls and four boys, three of whom, Menno, Emil and Lillian, are deceased.

Our parents as bride and groom homesteaded in Stanton county in western Kansas. Viola and Lillian were born there. The marriage was successful, but the farming was not, as the wheat and oats were blown out of the ground. After moving to Inman, father supported the family by doing carpenter work. Alvin was born at Inman. Emil, Willard and Menno were born on the farm near Inman.

Father continued farming and doing carpenter work almost to the day he died. He loved and respected the soil, and the land he farmed has improved with his care. Houses, barns and several school houses stand solidly in testimony to the quality of his craftsmanship. The last construction job in which he took part was perhaps the one he loved the most — the building of the Bethel College church. In a recent conversation with mother he mentioned that there was not a single operation in the building of the church in which he had not had a part. He took special pride in the way in which the oak trim and molding were fitted into proper place.

Father was always interested in music. He was the first church organist at the Hoffnungsau church. He directed the choir for many years and during this time directed contatas [sic] at which crowds overflowed the church. Some of our fondest memories of the home go back to the times when Viola would play the reed organ, Lillian and father would play the ”fiddle”.

It is, however, the quality of the family life that father and mother demonstrated which has most affected our lives, and in turn the lives of the grandchildren. The capacity for affection was not limited to the immediate family but was shared generously. During the time the parents lived near the campus their home became a way station for students in and out of college. Here was a place to find spiritual and bodily refreshment, a place where stories could be shared, and even a place where socks were darned and buttons mended.

A little over three years ago many friends, neighbors, and relatives helped out parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a joyous occasion. Fifty three years and four months may seem to be a long span of time, but for our parents it passed all too quickly. Deep sorrow and troubles came into their lives, but these were met in their time with strength and courage born out of deep and abiding mutual affection.

Father's sudden passing leaves in mourning his wife, Anna, Daniel and Viola Eitzen and children, Donald Gene and Betty Ann (Kenneth Wayne preceded his grandfather in death two years ago); Alvin and Ruth Gaeddert and children, Amelia Ann, Beth Lee, John Preston, and Robert James; Willard and Laura Gaeddert and children, David Allen, Susan Lee, William Peter, and Karen Elise; numerous relatives and a host of friends. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1960 May 17 p. 339