Hiebert, Agnes Beier (1886-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Mar 21 p. 8

Birth date: 1886 Aug 25

text of obituary:

MRS. HENRY H. HIEBERT

Mrs. Agnes Hiebert, daughter of Peter and Agnes (Teske) Beier, was born in South Russia on August 25, 1886, and departed from this life in Reedley, Calif., on Sunday evening, March 3, 1957, to enter into the blessed presence of her Lord and Redemer [sic], Jesus Christ. She attained the age of 70 years, six months and six days.

She grew up on the plains of South Russia where from early childhood she was subjected to hard work at home and at the places to which she was hired out. Consequently, her days of schooling were brief.

In her youth she moved with her parents to northern Russia where she met her future husband, Henry H. Hiebert. They were married in her parental home in North Russia on Nov. 15, 1909. This union was blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters. One son and two daughters died in infancy which caused us deep sorrow.

In 1915, she realized her great spiritual need without Christ and in deep repentance received Him in faith as her Saviour and Lord. On August 27, 1922, she followed her Lord's command and was baptized and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church for spiritual nurture and fellowship.

In 1912, the family moved to Siberia and settled in the county of Slavgarod near Omsk, where they followed the occupation of farming. God had given her the gift of taking care of the sick and of setting bones. She was faithful in this ministry and has been a help and blessing to many in Russia and also here in America.

We experienced the difficult days of the Communistic Revolution in Siberia. If God had not undertaken for us, we certainly would have perished there. In 1929 we, with others, fled across the Amur River into china and thus escaped the horrors of Communism. We made our way across China and settled in the city of Harbin.

On March 1, 1930, we were permitted to leave Harbin and come to America which was an answer to our prayers. We landed in San Francisco and immediately came to the Reedley community where also we soon made our home on a farm.

The Lord has richly blessed us spiritually and materially in this great land of America. In 1952 we retired, sold our farm, and bought a home in Reedley.

In 1953, mother became seriously ill and had to sumbit [sic] to an aperation [sic]. She had been in poor health since that time and underwent seven operations. She suffered much pain and discomfort and the last five months she had to sit up in a chair also at nights. She longed for the time when she would be able to leave this old world and enter the heavenly rest where there is no sickness and pain.

She was a most faithful and devoted wife. She was the one who lovingly urged me to accept Christ by faith and since has been a spiritual help to me.

To the children she was a loving mother, and we will ever remember her deep concern for our welfare, particularly for our spiritual life. At the last evening's devotion's she pled earnestly for her children and grandsons. We will miss her much but are also glad that she could be relieved of all suffering.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, H. H. Hiebert of Reedley; her daughter, Mrs. Agnes Friesen, Reedley; her son, Henry Hiebert, Jr., Fresno, Calif; one daughter-in-law; two grandsons; one brother, C. P. Beier, Aldergrove, B. C.; one sister, Mrs. Maria Klippenstein, somewhere in Russia; and many relatives and friends. — The Family.