Gehring, Helen Marie Wedel (1904-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 May 27 p.3

Birth date: 1904 Feb 9

text of obituary:

HELEN MARIE GEHRING

Helen Marie Gehring, daughter of John J. and Fanny Waltner Wedel was born on Feb. 9, 1904, on a farm in McPherson county, Kansas.

On July 20, 1919, she was baptized upon confession of her faith by Rev. Gustav Entz, and was united with the Hopefield Mennonite church near Moundridge. Soon after marriage she transferred her church membership to the Eden Mennonite church. Having been a faithful member there for many years, she transferred to the First Mennonite church at Burns at the time of its organization. Here she was a charter member, showing vital interest and taking active part in all activities. (Her funeral was the first to be conducted in this church.)

On Sept. 2, 1925, she was united in marriage to Fred J. C. Gehring, son of Jacob C. and Mary Gehring, by Rev. C. J. Goering. To this union were born two daughters and one son.

The home was established on a farm southeast of McPherson. After living there eleven years they moved to a farm near Windom. In April of 1940 they came to their present home northwest of Burns.

In August of 1942 she was admitted to the Bethel hospital because of heart ailment, from which she never completely recovered. She experienced periods of fair health and times of illness, but always with a cheerful disposition and an unwavering faith in God. On Sunday, May 16 though not feeling well she taught her Sunday School class and attended church services as usual, but was later in the day confined to bed at her home. After a restful night she peacefully slumbered away, departing this life on May 17, at 5:00 a.m.

She leaves to mourn her departure her bereaved husband; two daughters, Joyce Demae, Mrs. Kenneth Kyle, of Rural Route, Florence, and Mary Ellen of the home, with her fiance, Cecil Langenegger; one son, James Leroy, also of the home; one son-in-law; her mother, Mrs. John J. Wedel of Walton; one brother, Milton Wedel; two sisters, Delia, Mrs. Elmer Stucky and Anna, Mrs. Frank Klein; ten sisters-in-law, one of whom is ill in a hospital at this time; twelve brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts and many other relatives and friends.

Her father preceded her in death six months ago to date. Three brothers and five sisters have also passed away, six of them in infancy.

— The Family.