Kliewer, Mary Siebel Schale (1887-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Oct 3 p. 8

Birth date: 1887 Apr 18

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY (SCHALE) KLIEWER

My dear mother, Mrs. Mary (Scale) Kliewer, was the daughter of Christof and Charlotte (Rustbach) Seibel. She was born in Marion County, Kansas, on April 18,1887, and was permitted to depart this life at Reedley, Calif. on Sept.20, 1957, to be forever with her blessed Savior Whom she trusted implicitly. She reached the age of 70 years, five months, and two days..

She grew up on a farm on the plains of Central Kansas and Oklahoma. She had to work hard from early youth in the home and on the field. She was but 14 years old when her mother became a bed patient and this added many responsibilities to her young life.

Her parents were devout Christians and regularly took their children to church and Sunday school. The Bible was read and prayer was made daily.

When she was nine years old she moved with her parents to Fairview, Okla. Here she grew to young womanhood and on April 20, 1903, she was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with David Schale. This union was blessed with one daughter, Eva.

As a young couple my parents were saved, were baptized by Rev. Jacob Kliewer and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Balko, Okla..

After living on a farm for four years near Fairview, they moved to Balko. In 1914 they moved to California and made their home in Reedley. In 1920 they moved to Bakersfield. In 1950 they moved to Lodiwhere they lived but a short while.

On August 18, 1950, my father died leaving a great void in mother's life. In 1951 she moved in Reedley again.

She was married on June 15, 1952, to Emil Kliewer, also of Reedley. Their happiness, however, was but of short duration. After six months both took seriously ill and had to be hospitalized.

On Feb. 4, 1953, mother submitted to surgery and had an internal cancer removed. Since then she had two more serious operations. She suffered long and intensely, in quietness and resignation to God's will. After the second operation she gained sufficient strength that for a while she could live quite normally and attend church regularly. Since the third operation, on August 28, 1956, her suffering increased and her strength declined steadily. For the last six months she made her home in the Reedley M. B. Home for the Aged where she received most efficient and tender care.

She has been an inspiration to all who knew her and in spite of her intense suffering she had a word of cheer and comfort for others. She has been a glowing example of permitting God's grace to be sufficient and of maintaining a sweet spirit of trust and resignation to God.

She leaves to follow her example of trust and faith her husband, Emil Kliewer, Lodi, Calif.; her daughter, Eva, Mrs. Abraham Koop of Bakersfield, Calif.; one son-in-law; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ludwig Seibel, Alberta, Canada; Charlie Seibel, Steilacoom, Wash.; four sisters, Mrs. Sarah Reiswig of Reedley, Calif., Mrs. Lena Wiens of McPherson, Kansas. Mrs. Carrie Geisbrecht of Lodi, Calif., and Mrs. Lydia Hagen, Reedley, Calif.; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held in the Reedley M. B. Church on Sept. 23. — Her Daughter.