Hiebert, Katherine H. Kornelsen (1892-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Feb 8 p. 4

Birth date: 1892 Apr 13

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. D. B. Hiebert, 58, died at the Bethel Deaconess hospital Saturday afternoon after suffering for several years with a heart ailment. She and her husband formerly lived near Buhler, and moved to Newton in 1942. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Hoffnungsau church near Inman. Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Willard of Walton, and Olin of Wichita; two daughters, Mrs. Erma Hiebert of Peabody, and Mrs. Hermine [sic Hermina] Stough of Wichita; and seven grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Feb 22 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. D. B. HIEBERT

Mrs. Katherine H. Hiebert was born near Inman, Kansas, on April 13, 1892, and departed this life on February 3, 1951, having attained the age of 58 years, nine months, and 21 days.

Katherine became an orphan the age of three days by the death of her mother, Mrs. Katherine Cornelson [sic Kornelsen]. Her father, Abram Cornelson [sic Kornelsen], met his death by accident some years later.

The young child was taken to the bosom of her aunts, Miss Lena Neiman and Mrs. Lizzie Ratzlaff, and cared for until the age of two years. Circumstances then forced the aunts to part with the child and Katherine came under the protective wing of Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich Schultz. In later years she ministered to the needs of the ailing Mr. Schultz, attempting to repay with love and devotion the affection and kindness which he had so freely offered in her of need.

Katherine grew to womanhood on a farm east of Buhler, Kansas. She received her elementary schooling in the country schools of the neighborhood, and also matriculated at the preparatory school which was located east of the Hoffnungsau church. In later years she often referred to the memories of the open countryside which she loved so well, and to the many lasting friendships which she formed during these early years.

Katherine was baptized upon the confession of faith on June 2, 1912, by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff and accepted as a member of the Hoffnungsau church, of which she remained a member until of death.

On November 15, 1914, she was united in holy matrimony with Dietrich B. Hiebert, by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff, in the Hoffnungsau church. They established a home near Buhler, Kansas. This home was blessed with four children, all of whom are living.

The life of farm wife, mother, and homemaker is not an easy one, but it is vastly rich in the fulfillment of spiritual needs for it is a life of service — a ministration to the needs of the family and a dedication of the home to our Lord and Master.

The onset of her illness occurred during the period of her farm life. It began as a heart murmur and culminated in death some twenty years later. In 1942 the family home was moved to 308 East 7th Street, Newton, Kansas, where she resided until her untimely death. Her condition grew steadily worse, becoming especially critical during the last three weeks of her life. When her suffering became greatly intensified, she would ask to have the 121st Psalm read to her. Another source of scriptural inspiration was Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

On Saturday morning. Feb. 3, she was taken to the Bethel Deaconess hospital and quietly passed away at 1:30 in the afternoon.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Dietrich B. Hiebert of the home; the eldest son, Wilhard [sic Willard], and wife Edna of Walton; the eldest daughter, Erma and husband Frank S. Hiebert of Peabody; the younger son, Olin, and wife Lou of Wichita, younger daughter, Hermine [sic Hermina], and husband Carl Stough of Wichita; seven grandchildren — Marlin, Larry, and Karen Hiebert, Galen Hiebert, Donald and Pamela Hiebert, and Gordon Stough.

She also leaves one step-sister, Anna, and husband C. O. Sperling of Inman; two step-sisters-in-law, Mrs. Katie Schmidt of Buhler and Mrs. Marie Schmidt of Canada; one aunt, Miss Lena Neiman of Goessel; and a host of relatives and friends.

The funeral services were held on February 6, at 1:00 p.m. at the Bergen funeral home, Goessel, Rev. D. J. Unruh officiating, and at 2:30 p.m. at the Hoffnungsau church near Inman, Rev. Albert M. Gaeddert and Rev. C. H. Voth officiating. Burial was made in the Hoffnungsau cemetery.