Hiebert, Stella Dyck (1887-1934)

Messenger of Truth obituary: 1934 Jul 24 p. 5

Birth date: 1887 Jan 22

Text of obituary:

Hiebert, Stella nee Dyck.—It has been the pleasure of our dear Lord, who has power over life and death, to take my beloved wife and mother of our children from our side.

She was born near Steinbach, Man., Jan. 22, 1887, and passed away at 11 o'clock in the morning of June 23, 1934, in the yard of our neighbor Ludwig Olsen, while in a car to rush to the doctor.

She leaves to mourn her, to us seemingly all too early departure, me, her deeply bereaved husband, seven daughters, four sons, four step-daughters, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and eight grandchildren; five sisters, two brothers and many other relatives and friends. One son and one daughter preceded her in death.

She attained the age of 47 years, 5 months and 1 day. We were united in marriage March 28, 1905. We shared our joys and sorrows 29 years, 2 months and 28 days.

She came to Langdon, N. Dak., with her parents in March, 1897, when she was 11 years of age. Here at the age of 17 she was converted and accepted the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was baptized into the Evangelical Church at Rose Hill, N. Dak., on Aug. 14, 1904.

Her death was caused by an accident which occurred on the road 22 miles west of Langdon, while moving a small building. She with our children wanted to move this building, our dwelling house into a neighbor's yard and then we intended to make our future home in Grand Forks, where I was at the time of her accident and death. The house was being pulled with two cars. On the back of one of them was a platform on which she was seated. One of the boys had seen her fall off, but before they had been able to stop the wheel had passed over her. She lived for about an hour after this, but said a few words and apparently was semi-conscious; but towards the last she had apparently gained a little more realization and looked up to her children that were present with a tearful glance and the shaking of her head and a few minutes later she opened her eyes once more with a joyous look and passed away.

A few days before her death she expressed herself that way that she felt ready to die and desired to always live so as to be ready if sudden death should all at once come over her. We know also that during the last years she has often felt her carnal and corrupt nature and often acknowledged and confessed her weaknesses. Also she has often expressed herself, that it was but through grace that we could be saved. In the bringing up of the children, where she will now be missed beyond expression, she has always tired to do her part; and tried to impress upon their minds what life on earth was and how they should live to not miss eternal life.

The funeral was held on June 28, 1934, in the Bethel Mennonite Churchyard; being held outside on account of the large crowd gathered. Preachers E. Duerksen of Alsen, Guenther and Fadenrecht of Munich and Myers of Langdon spoke from Psalm 23:3-6 and Lam. 1:12 in both German and English and Cor. Wohlgemuth of Giroux, Man., in German on Psalm 103.

The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery near by.

We mourn, but not as those that have no hope, but much more, we feel assured that she passed away into that happy beyond where we hope to meet her sooner or later. For this we want to thank our gracious Lord. The bereaved husband, David Hiebert and Children.