Heppner, Annie Friesen (1885-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 May 8 p. 11

Birth date: 1885 Sept 18

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNIE HEPPNER

Mrs. Annie Heppner, daughter of Cornelius and Aganetha Warkentin Friesen, was born Sept, 18, 1885 on the farm at Mountain Lake, Minn.

She received her education in the local public school and private German school. Being extremely interested in reading and her father being a book agent and a teacher, her education was continued informally in the areas of church history and Bible study. She was an active Sunday school teacher for a number of years.

When she was 18 her father died after a short illness. Being the oldest child in the family, many of the farm home responsibilities fell on her.

On May 20, 1903 Annie was baptized and received into the E.M.B. Church by Elder Aron Wall. She transferred her membership to the First Mennonite Church of Mt. Lake after her marriage.

She was married to Bernard Heppner on Aug. 25, 1913 by Rev. Jacob Stoesz in a beautiful flower garden on her mother's farm. To this union two sons were born: Alvin of Delavan, Minn. and John of Springfield, Mass.

For the first few years after their marriage they continued farming during the summer months and teaching during the winter, since Mr. Heppner was a teacher. He loved farming, but one day a call came to take over the supervision and administration of the Alpha Public School, in which field Mr. Heppner has served over 40 years.

Mrs. Heppner's home was a place where young and old would congregate. Besides taking an active part in church, Sunday school and community activities in the places her husband was teaching, when convenient she would have teachers stay in her home.

In 1940 they observed their silver wedding anniversary in the home church in Mountain Lake. On Aug. 25, 1965 the golden anniversary was observed in their home by their children and grandchildren who presented favorite songs and other items. Relatives and friends called during the afternoon open house.

Mrs. Heppner became ill in May 1954 and was admitted to Bethel Hospital where she remained for five months, when she was brought back to her family home. She never regained her full strength, but was able to do light housework. She was afflicted by cancer which was often very painful, especially since the beginning of the year.

In all the suffering the loving hope of a Christian was never diminished. She kept looking forward to the eternal city to meet her Saviour Jesus Christ. The end of this eventful life came quietly on March 4, 1969, reaching the age of 83 years, six months and 16 days.

The funeral was held in the First Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake at 10:30 a.m. March 7. Pastor Kleinsasser officiated. Burial was made in the Mountain Lake cemetery.

She is survived by her husband; two sons; one sister, Mrs. Henry P. Flaming, and one brother, Cornelius C. Friesen, both of Mountain Lake; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters.

The Mennonite obituary: 1969 Apr 1 p. 226