Holdeman, Catherine H. Leatherman (1875-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Apr 1 p. 11

Birth date: 1875 Nov 25

text of obituary:

MRS. CATHERINE HOLDEMAN

Catherine H. "Katie" Leatherman Holdeman was born Nov. 25, 1875, to Jacob and Christina Leatherman in Medina County, Ohio, and departed this life on Feb. 9, 1971 in the Grace Nursing Home in Livingston, Calif., reaching the age of 95 years, two months and 15 days. Death came unexpectedly, apparently from a heart attack.

She received her education in Ohio and moved with her family to Hesston, Kan. at the age of 19. Here she found her Saviour and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, of which she remained a faithful member until her death.

On Nov. 17, 1898, she was married to Samuel K. Holdeman. they shared joys and sorrows for 38 years. They spent some years in Kansas and then moved to Harrison, Mich. and later to Medina County, Ohio, where her husband passed away in 1938, leaving her alone for some 34 years. She accompanied his body to Kansas for burial, and for about eight years went from home to home caring for sick and aged wherever the need was found.

Prior to going to Grace Nursing Home in May, 1969, she made her home with her youngest sister, Naomi Buerge for approximately 25 years.

She was an energetic, busy person and often shared her home with others, giving hospitality to those less fortunate than herself and caring for her husband' children.

She often expressed her concern for the church and her family's spiritual welfare. She was diligent in reading her Bible and in later years when her eyesight was failing, she still read the Bible with her magnifying glass. She spent much time on her knees in prayer, leaving an example for all of us to follow.

She left us assurance of entering into her Eternal Rest, just recently expressing a beautiful experience of God's love which likewise showed on her countenance.

She leaves to mourn two sons, John of Newton, Kan. and Pearl of Moundridge, Kan.; two daughters, Mary Johnson of Atmore, Ala. and Sadie Ball of Flint, Mich.; one brother, Noah Leatherman of Livingston, Calif.; one sister, Naomi Buerge of Ithaca, Mich.; 33 grandchildren, 135 great-grandchildren, 122 great-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, one son, three sisters and three brothers.

Burial was made at Hesston, Kan. with Frank Wenger and Franklin Wenger officiating.