Kleinsasser, Rachel (1886-1966)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1966 Nov 3 p. 5

Birth date: 1886 Oct 30

text of obituary:

Sister Rachel Kleinsasser, 80, who had been associated with the Bethel Deaconess Sisterhood for nearly 50 years, died Monday morning at the Bethel Home for Aged. She had been an invalid for some years past. Sister Rachel was born at Freeman, S. C., to Matthias and Katherina Kleinsasser. Several brothers and sisters survive. She was a member of the First Mennonite Church here. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Sister Frieda Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Arnold Epp officiating.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 22 Dec 1966 p. 14

text of obituary:

SISTER RACHEL KLEINSASSER

Rachel Kleinsasser was born Oct. 30, 1886 near Freeman, S. D. to Matthias E. and Katharina (Pollman) Kleinsasser. She attended the public schools near Freeman.

Rachel was baptized in June 1904 by the Rev. Peter Adrian of the Mennonite Brethren Church near Freeman. On Aug. 10, 1958 she transferred her church membership to the First Mennonite Church in Newton, Kan.

In a letter written by Sister Rachel she says: “I always had a desire to work for my Lord, through much prayer, asking that He might show me His way that I may see His will.” She entered the Bethel Deaconess Home and Hospital April 27, 1917. She became a member of the Sisterhood May 20, 1918 and on Sept. 28, 1924 she was consecrated (then called ordained) as a deaconess of the Bethel Deaconess Motherhouse.

Sister Rachel served in the kitchen and in the household department for a number of years. Later she also served in the Bethel Home for the aged both in Mountain Lake, Minn. and in Newton. For a number of years she suffered much with asthma and not able to work regularly. She has resided at intervals in the hospital, the Bethel Home and more recently in the Sisters or Deaconess Home.

She often expressed the desire that she would like to go to be with the Lord. This was granted Monday morning, Oct. 31, soon after she returned from the dining room, while she was resting on a sofa in the living room of the Sisters Home. The Lord took her quickly and quietly.

Of Sister Rachel’s immediate family there are three who will miss her: a sister, Mrs. Katharina Wipf of Huron, S. D.; A brother, Elias M. Kleinsasser of Redfield, S. D.; and another sister, Mrs. Sarah Becker of Lawton, Okla.

The Mennonite obituary: 1966 Nov 22 p. 714