Hershberger, Mary Kropf (1864-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Oct 21 p. 3

Birth date: 1864 Oct 3

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY HERSHBERGER

Mary Hershberger, daughter of David and Magdalene (Oesch) Kropf, was born Oct. 3, 1864, near Baden, Ontario, Canada, and died October 8, 1948, near Garden City, Missouri, at the age of 84 years and five days. She was of a family of 13 children, all having preceded her in death.

While still a child she, with her parents, brothers and sisters, made the long journey by covered wagon from Canada to Hickory county, Mo. When she was 12 the family moved to Cass county, Mo., where she lived the remainder of her life. In her youth she accepted Christ and became a member of the Mennonite church at Garden City, Mo., where she was a faithful member, seldom failing to attend services when health permitted. She was always greatly concerned about the spiritual welfare of her children and grandchildren, as well as the spiritual growth of the Church.

On January 14, 1889, she was united in marriage to Daniel Hershberger, who preceded her in death on Sept. 6, 1941. Surviving are their eight children: Nancy (Mrs. Ed Zook), Hesston, Kansas; Alice (Mrs. E. C. Bowman), Harrisonville, Mo.; Pearl (Mrs. C. F. Greaser) and Owen, Hesston, Kansas; Elmer, Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Raymond, Ada (Mrs. Harvey Roth) and Harold, all of near Garden City, Mo.; also 27 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law (Mrs. C. J. Kropf) and many other relatives and friends.

After the death of her husband, she made her home with her daughters, the last three years with her daughter, Ada (Mrs. Harvey Roth), who so lovingly cared for her mother during the last long illness. On August 23, 1947, she suffered a light paralytic stroke, which, with her frail physical condition, left her an invalid. She patiently endured her lingering illness and always appreciated her visitors, especially those who ministered to her in song.

A funeral service was held at the Sycamore Grove church near Garden City, Mo., on October 10, with Bros. S. S. Hershberger and John A. Kauffman in charge. Interment was made in the Clearfork cemetery where the service was in charge Bros. Rufus Horst and Edward Yoder, of Kansas City, Kansas.

Relatives coming from a distance to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Owen Hershberger and two sons, James and John; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hershberger, Mrs. Nancy Zook, two daughters, Mary and Erma, and two sons, Marvin and Johnny; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Greaser and son Earl from Hesston, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hershberger and two daughters, Doris and Maryann, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Knox and Mr. and Mrs. Levi Kropf, Tampico, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Niles Yoder and son, Robert, Luella Lantz and Luella Kropf, Goshen, Indiana; and Ruby Greaser, Kansas City, Kansas.