Kliewer, Jacob P. (1878-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 8 p. 8, 10

Birth date: 1878 Jan. 15

text of obituary:

JACOB P. KLIEWER

Jacob P. Kliewer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kliewer, was born near Inman, Kansas on Jan. 15, 1878. There he spent his childhood days and attended the country school.

As a young man he recognized his need of a Savior and accepted Jesus Christ into his life. On Sept. 5, 1897, he followed the Lord in baptism and united with the Mennonite Brethren Church of Buhler, Kan., for fellowship. He was very active in his church all his life.

On Sept. 20, 1900, he was united in holy matrimony with Margaret Enns. This union was blessed with 11 children. One of these children passed away at the tender age of eight days.

Our parents lived on a farm in the Buhler-Inman community. In 1904 they moved to Reedley, Calif., and were a part of the first Mennonite Brethren Church organized in Reedley. Here in the Reedley community they lived on a farm and father did carpenter work.

In 1918 we moved to Shafter, Calif., where our father served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon for many years. Here in Shafter our mother passed away in 1939. the same year our father moved to Bakersfield, Calif.

Our father was a kind and tender person who loved his family and was devoted to them. He enjoyed comparatively good health most of his life. On Nov. 15, 1953, he suffered a stroke which left him helpless as well as speechless. In May of 1954, he was brought to the Reedley Home for the Aged and here he was tenderly cared for till the end. His departure came early Sunday morning, Dec. 28, 1958, at about 4:00. He reached the age of 80 years, 11 months, and 13 days.

One of the last things that father wrote in his own hand writing was the following quotation: "My God, My God, this is my destiny and for this I have been kept." We as a family rejoice that father could be delivered and we know that he is in glory.

Those who remain to mourn his departure are his 10 children: Margaret, Mrs. H. H. Duerksen of Auberry, Calif., Elizabeth, Mrs. Charles Courtney of North Hollywood, Calif., Ann, Mrs. Harvey Bartel of Shafter, Marie, Mrs. Alex Kloeppel of Shafter, Jack Kliewer of Dinuba, Ed Kliewer of Bakersfield, John Kliewer of Wasco, George Kliewer of Bakersfield, Dick Kliewer of Reedley , Don Kliewer of San Francisco; four sons-in-law; six daughters-in-law; one half brother, John Janzen of Corn, Okla.; two sisters, Marie Kliewer of Enid, Okla. and Elizabeth, Mrs. Neuman of Medford, Okla.; 28 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. — The Children.