Glanzer, Rebecca (1916-1963)

Revision as of 16:58, 16 January 2020

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jun 6 p. 3; 4

Birth date: 1916 Oct 23

text of obituary:

Missionary to South India Called by Death

Freeman, S. D. — Rebecca Glanzer, 46, well-known Mennonite Brethren missionary in India, died May 25 while attending a missionary convention at Nilgris, South India.

According to information received here, death was believed to have been caused by an insect bite. She was ill only about six hours.

Miss Glanzer was in her third term of service, and was engaged in personal evangelism work among Indian student nurses. She formerly was a member of the K. M. B. church which merged with the Mennonite Brethren Conference in 1960. Her service in India was under the Evangelical Alliance Mission.

Miss Glanzer returned to India last fall following a recommissioning service held at her home church, the Salem M. B. Church near Bridgewater, S. D. A memorial service was held at the Salem Church on Wednesday, May 29.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Jul 4 p. 8

text of obituary:

REBECCA GLANZER

Missionary Rebecca Glanzer was born to Rev. Joseph J. and Anne Decker Glanzer on Oct. 23, 1916 at Bridgewater, S. D. She grew to womanhood in that community and graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1934. After graduation she took a three-year nursing course at Sioux Valley Hospital, graduating in 1937 as a registered nurse.

Rebecca realized her lost condition at revival meetings held by Rev. Franz V. Wiebe in 1932 and was baptized by Rev. D. W. Tschetter in the summer of 1932, joining the Salem K. M. B. church.

While serving as a nurse in Chicago, Ill. she attended the Moody Memorial Church and took a course at the Moody Bible Institute. During this time she dedicated her life to the service of the Lord. The influence of this school and the ministry of the church encouraged her to further Christian training and preparation for full time Christian service. After attending Wheaton College from 1943 to 1947, she graduated with a major in Christian Education. Later while on furlough in 1955, she sensed her need of more training and spent a semester at Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Neb.

In 1949 the Lord opened the door to serve as a medical missionary under The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) in India. After a period of Marathi language study, she spent two years doing medical research work in the Chinchpada Hospital, West Khandesh. She was then reassigned by the mission for student work among the nurses in the Marathi-speaking area. In this particular service she has been engaged for the past six years, where she especially planned Bible retreats, taught courses in spiritual growth, and counseled those needing personal guidance.

Rebecca left Bridgewater for her first term Oct. 6, 1948. She returned to the field for her second term on July 24, 1955. Returning for her third term in August, 1962. She served as missionary for student nurses. Her death came as a shock to the community when she passed away suddenly in South India on May 25 after an illness of six hours. Death was caused by encephalitis (sleeping sickness). Funeral services were held in India on Sunday, May 26.

Rebecca attained the age of 46 years, seven months and two days. She leaves to mourn her departure three brothers: Joe, John and Elmer of Bridgewater; three sisters, Elizabeth, Mrs. Peter J. Hofer of Bridgewater, Susie, Mrs. Dave G. Wollman of Menno, Marie Glanzer of Bridgewater, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were conducted at the Salem M. B. Church near Bridgewater on May 29, 1963, by Pastor Franklyn Jost assisted by Rev. J. B. Toews of Hillsboro, Kan.