Gingerich, Lydia Reber (1880-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 May 5 p. 6

Birth date: 1880 Apr 17

text of obituary:

MRS. LYDIA GINGERICH

Lydia, daughter of David and Mary Swartzendruber Reber, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, April 17, 1880, living in this community to the time of her death on April 24, 1949, having reached the age of 69 years and 7 days.

She was baptized in 1897 and received into the fellowship of the Lower Deer Creek Amish Mennonite church, of which congregation she remained a faithful member until her death.

On November 15, 1900, she was united in marriage to John Gingerich, who preceded her in death less than a year ago, on May 18, 1948, having lived in matrimony more than 47 years To this union were born five children, Melvin of Goshen, Indiana, Ralph of Wellman, Iowa; Mary (Mrs. Chris Marner of Kalona, Iowa; Fanny (Mrs. Herman Smucker) of Kalona; and Alta (Mrs. William Kauffman) of Pigeon, Michigan.

Besides the above named children she leaves to mourn her departure thirteen grandchildren; four brothers, Joseph of Shelbyville, Illinois, Joel of Wellman, George of Iowa City, Noah of Milford, Nebraska; and three sisters, Barbara, (Mrs. William Detweiler) of Oxford, Iowa, Lizzie (Mrs. Edward Schmucker) of Wellman, and Nancy (Mrs. Guy Weidlein) of Wellman.

She was stricken with a severe heart attack on February 20, 1949, and remained in a critical condition until the time of her death. She was aware of the seriousness of her illness and often expressed to her children her desire to be taken to the Glory World. During the last seven years of her husband’s life, while he was confined to his bed because of paralytic strokes, she faithfully ministered to his needs, never complaining about the heavy load that was hers to carry. The service she rendered to her companion was only one of many expressions of her unselfish life which she devoted to the welfare of her family, her friends, and her church.

Funeral services were held at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite church Tuesday afternoon, April 26, with Samuel Nafziger and John Y. Swartzendruber in charge. Burial was made in the Lower Deer Creek cemetery.