Kleinsasser, Abraham Lincoln (1914-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 14 Oct 1954 p. 9

Birth date: 1914 Mar 3

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM L. KLEINSASSER

Abraham Lincoln Kleinsasser, our dearly beloved brother, brother-in-law, and uncle, son of the late Jacob J. and Mary Hofer Kleinsasser, was born on March 3, 1914, six miles south of Freeman, S.D. He passed on to his eternal reward on Sept. 6, 1954, at 5:30 a.m. at the Freeman Community hospital, at the age of 40 years, six months and three days.

He grew to manhood at his parental home and attended a rural school, finishing the 8th grade in 1929. He attended Freeman Academy and graduated in 1933, and graduated with honors from a two year college course in 1935.

Due to his father’s prolonged illness Abe had to take over the responsibility of the farm. After his father’s passing in 1937 Abe continued to farm with his mother and faced the serious trials of the depression. this took much courage, but he kept an optimistic spirit.

He was instructed in catechism class and Bible study by Rev. P. P. Tschetter.

He had a very friendly disposition and won a great host of friends. He had a smile for everyone, was always willing to help. He took care of his mother, administered insulin daily until she passed away Nov. 24, 1952. He was a great comfort to his invalid brother Jake and did many deeds of kindness until his brother’s passing on Dec. 11, 1953. He was hopeful about the future, and had planned to modernize the home comfortably for his brother Ben, who had been staying with him since early this summer.

He came home Sunday evening feeling well. But at 2:30 suddenly he became seriously ill with a heart attack. The phone being out of order, Ben went to get the doctor, who took him to the Freeman hospital. Here all was done that possibly could be done, but it was our heavenly Father’s will to relieve him of all earthly care. Much too soon do we grieve over his early departure.

He was preceded in death by his parents and six brother and sisters. He leaves to mourn his departure two sisters, Mrs. Theresa Glanzer, Dolton, and Mrs. Clara Rockwell, of Omaha, Nebr.; one brother, Ben, Freeman; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Justina Kleinsasser, Bridgewater; two brothers-in-law, Joe P. Glanzer and Clifford Rockwell; 12 nieces and nephews and nine great pieces and nephews, uncles, aunts and a great host of friends.

Funeral services were conducted at the Hutterthal Mennonite church near Freeman on Sept. 8, 1954. Rev. Jacob B. Hofer conducted the service and used as a text, Heb. 2:3. A male quartet sang “See the Pearly Gates Will Open” and Mrs. and Mrs. Paul Decker sang “This World is Not My Home.” Rev. Paul J. Glanzer, nephew of the deceased, based his message on Isaiah 55:8, 9 and 38:108.

He was laid to rest in the Hutterthal church cemetery at the side of his parents and his brother Jake, who had preceded him in death eight months ago.