Heidebrecht, Jacob A. (1888-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Oct 10 p. 6

Birth date: 1888 May 23

text of obituary:

— Jacob A. Heidebrecht of 1010 Walnut died at 10:30 p. m. Tuesday at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital, having suffered a stroke of paralysis at his home about 24 hours earlier. He was 69 years of age. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p. m. Saturday in the Bethel College Mennonite Church, of which he was a member. Surviving are the widow, Anna, of the home; two sons, Paul M. Heidebrecht of Topeka and John Heidebrecht of Bartlesville, Okla.; one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Anna Laura) Laffety of South Coffeyville, Okla.; one granddaughter, one sister and four brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Oct 31 p. 10

text of obituary:

J. A. HEIDEBRECHT

Jacob A. Heidebrecht, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. and Maria (Gaeddert) Heidebrecht, was born May 23, 1888, at Inman, Kansas. He spent his youth in that community, where he also received his elementary education. Later he attended the Hoffnungsau and Goessel Preparatory School as well as Bethel College. A great lover of nature, he chose farming as his vocation.

He was baptized June 5, 1908, and became a member of the Hoffnungsau Church. This membership was transferred to Nowata, Okla. where the family spent 32 years. In 1947 when Mr. and Mrs. Heidebrecht retired to Newton, Kansas, they joined the Bethel College Church. He was a member of this church at the time of his death.

On April 5, 1915, he was united in marriage to Anna Regier, who survives him, and with whom he shared 42 years of life's joys and hardships. This union was blessed with three children.

His 32 years in Oklahoma were pioneer days in many respects. The farmland had to be developed and built up and buildings had to be erected. But, courageous as he was in all his undertakings, he succeeded and saw the results of courage, patience, and endurance. He was a leader in civic projects and active in civic affairs such as R. E. A., soil conservation committee, and State Land Planning Committee.

After the retired to Newton, Kansas, he and his beloved wife traveled a great deal. They went to California, Canada and other places, always finding friends. Another trip was planned, but he was called to journey on to the Great Beyond. He loved friends, yes, he loved all, and so he found friends wherever he went. An unforgettable experience for him was a trip, with his companion, to Europe five years ago.

He loved nature, he loved friends, but how he loved his church. Untiringly, he gave himself and of his means for the church. He loved his Bible whose pages are richly pencil-marked. He loved his Sunday School and taught a Bible class during all of the 32 years in Oklahoma. He served his church as well as the church conference in many official ways.

He enjoyed good health until the last several years. After a short illness, he passed to his eternal reward on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital at the age of 69 years, five and one-half months.

Surviving besides his bereaved widow are two sons, Paul Milford of Topeka, Kansas, and John Herold [sic Harold] of Bartlesville, Okla.; one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Anna Laure [sic Laura]) Lafferte of South Coffeyville, Kansas, one granddaughter, Mary Esther Heidebrecht of Topeka, Kansas; two daughters-in-law and one son-in-law; four brothers, J. J. and Paul W. of McPherson, Kansas, C. O. and Gus D. of Inman, Kansas; one sister, Mrs. H. A. (Lizzie) Woelk of Goessel, Kansas, as well as many friends far and near.