Kliewer, Peter J. (1866-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 15 p. 8

Birth date: 1866 Mar 28

text of obituary:

PETER J. KLIEWER

Peter J. Kliewer, son of Rev. Johann and Katharina Janzen Kliewer, was born in the village of Alexanderthal, in the Molotschna region of South Russia on March 28, 1866, and passed away at the Pioneer Rest Home in Aurora, Nebraska, on Jan. 1, 1959, at the age of 92 years, nine months and three days.

In 1875, at the age of nine, he migrated to America with his parents and they settled on a farm two miles southeast of the site where Hampton, Nebr. later was built. Here the family experienced deeply the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Their first home was a small frame house with earthen floor, which was the first of its kind in the Mennonite community. The virgin soil was plowed by oxen and the grain harvested with scythe and threshing stone. Father was the fifth child in the family of six sons and two daughters. His formal schooling was very limited due to the pioneer status of the community in that day.

He was baptized by Elder Johann J. Regier on July 8, 1894, upon his confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and accepted into membership of the Henderson Mennonite Brethren Church where he remained a faithful member to his end.

On Jan.23, 1896, he was joined in holy matrimony with our mother, Susanna Buller, by Rev. Johann Enns. This union lasted 59 years, 10 months and five days. After mother's death on November 28, 1955, he continued to live in the parental home until a little over a year ago, when it became necessary to provide care for him in a nursing home.

Four sons and two daughters were born to this union, all of whom survive and were present at the funeral. Father was the last surviving member of his family and has outlived them by a significant number of years.

Upon establishing their own home, our parents continued to experience pioneer hardships. They lived on a rented farm in Hamilton County, Nebr. 14 years, after which, through hard work, practical economy, frugality and thrift and the blessing of God, they were able to acquire their own farm in York County. Here they resided for 40 years. In 1950 they retired from the farm and moved to Henderson.

Except for his impaired vision, father enjoyed excellent health and was a strong and robust man capable of doing hard manual labor. He continued with active farm work until his retirement at the age of 84. He received care at the Pioneer Rest Home in Aurora for a little over a year. Here he passed on in his sleep to his heavenly reward early Thursday morning, Jan. 1, 1959. We mourn his passing but count it a victory for him to have gone to be with Jesus, of Whom he so often spoke and sang. Father endeavored to life a sincere and devoted Christian life. He had a great love for his church and attended services as regularly as he could. For many years he served as Sunday School teacher and maintained great interest in the work of the church.

He continues to live on in the fond memory of four sons, John P., Henderson, H. B. and family, Hillsboro, Kans., Herman J. and family, Menno L. and family of the Henderson community; two daughters, Mary of Hillsboro, and Mrs. Hannah Regier and family of the Henderson community. Fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren and a number of other relatives and a host of acquaintances and friends likewise survive.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 1 [sic Jan. 4], at 2:00 p.m. in the Henderson m. B. Church, the Rev. Louis Goertz and A. W. Friesen officiating. — The Family.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jan 22 p. 5

text of obituary:

Funeral For Aged Pioneer At Henderson

PETER J. KLIEWER A SETTLER OF NEBRASKA COMMUNITY SINCE 1875

Henderson, Nebr. — Peter J. Kliewer, for whom funeral services were held at the M. B. Church here Sunday, Jan. 4, was one of the oldest remaining immigrants who came to this community from Russia in the early 1870's.

Mr. Kliewer, who died at the Pioneer Rest Home in Aurora on New Year's morning, was 92 years old. Born in South Russia on March 28, 1866, he came to the Hampton vicinity in 1875 with his parents. He was a farmer in the Henderson and Hampton communities nearly all his life, retiring from the farm in 1950. He also took an active interest in church and community affairs.

On Jan. 23, 1896 he married Susanna Buller, who preceded him in death in 1955.

Children surviving are four sons, John P. Herman, J., and Menno L., all of Henderson, and Henry R. of Hillsboro, Kan.; also two daughters, Mary Kliewer of Hillsboro, Kan. and Mrs. John R. Regier of Henderson.