Kaufman, Freni Schrag (1868-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 29 p. 8

Birth date: 1868 Jan 9

text of obituary:

MRS. TOBIAS C. KAUFMAN

Mrs. Tobias C. Kaufman, nee Freni Schrag, was born Jan. 9, 1868, in Waldheim, Volynia, Russia. In 1874, at the age of six she came with her parents to America and settled on a farm near Gayville, S. D. the following year they moved to Turner County, S. D. where she grew to womanhood.

Mother's education was limited due to pioneer life. However she learned to read the German language well, and also some English. Through an early desire to enrich her faith in the Lord, she studied and memorized many Bible verses and songs, which she used until the end of her life.

Upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ she was baptized by her uncle, Rev. Jacob Schrag, in 1883, in the home of Peter Graber, and became a member of this Salem Zion church, until the Salem (South) Church was organized.

On June 3, 1886, Rev. Christian Kaufman united mother and Tobias Kaufman in holy matrimony. Together they shared hardships and joys of pioneer life for almost fifty years. Mother's utmost concern was that each one of her children accept Jesus as their personal Savior. She frequently asked, “What could be nicer than that all of us be able to meet in heaven?”

In mother's long span of life, she experienced not only joys but also deep sorrows. Her deepest sorrow in earlier life was when her oldest daughter met tragic death through fire at the age of nine.

Mother often turned to God in song and found comfort and great pleasure in singing at her daily tasks. This was a source of great comfort in her forty years of partial and total blindness, and five years of bed-fastness.

She will be remembered by her family as a mother whose love was revealed in the many kind deeds and services she offered. Her friendly disposition, her generosity, her hospitality and kindness towards others and above all, her Christian faith will not be forgotten.

Her long pilgrimage ended on Jan. 15, 1959, at the ripe age of 91 years and six days. her husband, Tobias, and six children, Katie, Anna, Elfa [sic Elva], Albert, Christ and Amelai, preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her death five sons, Leon, Bernard, John, George and Tom; four daughters, Kathryn, Amanda, (Mrs. Harry Waltner), Elda (Mrs. Conrad Enders), Otillia (Mrs. Jacob Wipf); four sons-in-law, Henry Ries, Harry Waltner, Conrad Enders, and Jacob Wipf; five daughters-in-law, Mrs. Leon Kaufman, Mrs. A. T. Kaufman, Mrs. B. T. Kaufman, Mrs. Chris Kaufman and Mrs. Tom Kaufman; two brothers, Henry and Ewald; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Jacob C. Kaufman, Mrs. John C. Kaufman and Mrs. Joe Schrag; 24 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.