Keiser, Addie Kempf (1898-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Mar 2 p. 3

Birth date: 1898 Sep 19

text of obituary:

MRS. ADDIE KEISER

Addle Kempf Keiser, daughter of Milo M. and Delilah (Miller) Kempf, was born September 19, 1898, near Kalona, Johnson county, Iowa, when she grew to womanhood.

On June 12, 1927, she was united in marriage to Harley F. Keiser of the Cedar Creek Mennonite church of Manson, Iowa. God blessed this union with two children, Lois, (Mrs. Melvin Zehr) of Manson, Iowa, and Oren, of Denver, Colorado.

She accepted Christ as her Saviour in her youth and united with the Mennonite church, to which she remained a faithful member until the Lord called her home on January 10, 1950.

In her childhood she lost her eyesight. She attended the school for the blind at Vinton, Iowa, graduating from high school there, as did her husband who is likewise sightless.

She took an interest in the church and her work, had deep convictions, and an abiding faith in the sustaining grace of God. She was often heard singing praises to her God. Despite the handicap of sightlessness a keen inner vision enabled her mind to understand and appreciate those about her to the extent that she always felt everyone she contacted to be a friend. She always said, “I have always had good neighbors.” Her keen spiritual vision enabled her to know and love the Lord in an intimate fellowship which was evidenced in a beautiful spirit of Christian joy and peace, which made of her physical handicaps stepping stones to a life of faith found in all too few of us.

She read by the braille method but very ably used a typewriter to write to her loved ones and friends. Even though she could not enjoy the beauties of nature, she can now enjoy the beauties of Heaven and see her Master face to face.

The past two years she spent most of her time in a reclining position. A year ago she requested to be anointed, which was granted her, but the Lord saw fit to call to her home, suddenly and unexpectedly, while she was partaking of the evening meal. But we need not mourn as those who have no hope.

Left to mourn their loss is her deeply bereaved mate, her two children; her mother, Mrs. David Lantz; three sisters, Alta, (Mrs. Lawrence J. Miller), Elisabeth (Mrs. Milo J. Miller), and Hazel (Mrs. Chester L. Miller); three brothers, Lloyd, Glenn and Zene, all of near Kalona, Iowa; eight nephews and a niece and a host of other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death was her father, one sister, Marie, who died in infancy, a niece and a nephew.

Services were held Jan. 14 at the First Mennonite church at Denver, Colorado, in charge at Bishop E. M. Yost. Interment at the Crown Hill cemetery.