Gaeddert, Peter R. (1893-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Dec 13 p. 6

Birth date: 1893 Sep 2

text of obituary:

. . .

— Peter J. Gaeddert [sic Peter R. Gaeddert], 63, of Buhler died at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital here Tuesday forenoon. Funeral services are announced for Friday at 2:00 p. m. in the Buhler Mennonite Church, with Rev. Irvin Richert in charge. Mr. Gaeddert was born near Buhler and farmed there the greater part of his life. He also lived in Oklahoma for 11 years. He leaves his wife, Lena, of the home, three sons and three daughters, six brothers and two sisters. A brother, Gus R. Gaeddert, resides at North Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Dec 27 p. 8

text of obituary:

P. R. GAEDDERT

Peter R. Gaeddert was born on Sept. 2, 1893, in Reno County, Kan. He was the son of the late Jacob D. and Katherina Ratzlaff Gaeddert. After a full life in the occupation of farming, he suffered a stroke in February of 1955 which took him out of active farming. Later he was stricken with cancer from which he died on the morning of Dec. 11,1956, at 11 o'clock, at the age of 63 years, three months and nine days.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his devoted wife, Lena; six children, Lorene (Mrs. Victor Balzer) of Inman, Melvin of Buhler, Elmer of Inman, John of Henderson, Neb., Erma (Mrs. Wilbert Goering) of Moundridge, and Velma (Mrs. Wilbur Stoesz) of Mt. Lake, Minn.; three daughters-in-law, Mrs. Melvin Gaeddert (formerly Velda Voran), Mrs. Elmer Gaeddert (formerly Elfrieda Duerksen), and Mrs. John Gaedderrt (formerly Mary Voran); three sons-in-law, Victor Balzer, Wilbert Goering, and Wilbur J. Stoesz; and 14 grandchildren. He also has six brothers, Guss R., John R., Jake C. Henry E., Albert M., and Walter E.; and two sisters, Katheryn [sic Katharina] (Mrs. G. K. Froese), and Marie (Mrs. J. U. Schmidt); two brothers-in-law, J. U. Schmidt and Rev. H. T. Unruh; and many more relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were a grandchild, Janie Balzer; two brothers, David and Dietrich; two sisters, Martha and Anna (Mrs. H. T. Unruh).

He was united in marriage to Lena Janzen on June 23, 1915, and they shared the joys and sorrows of life during their period of a little more than 41 years together. The family was privileged to celebrate with them their 25th and 40th wedding anniversaries. Family life with his children and grandchildren were one of his great joys. On Nov. 9, 1956, he was able to return home from the hospital for a one-day family get-together which he greatly enjoyed.

He was baptized in the Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, McPherson County, Kansas, on May31, 1914, by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff. In 1947 he and Mrs. Gaeddert transferred their membership to the Buhler Mennonite Church to which he remained a faithful member until his passing. He was an active working member of the church for at least 35 years of his life, serving in many capacities including that of Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, and lately his greatest joy, that of serving for eight years as deacon.

His was a life of unselfish service to others as he worked in the church for his Lord.