Koehn, Lena Wedel (1874-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Dec 30 p. 3

Birth date: 1874 Nov 24

text of obituary:

MRS. LENA KOEHN

Mrs. Lena Koehn, nee Wedel was born November 24, 1874, in Tustria and departed this life on December 2, 1943 near Montezuma, Kansas at the age of 69 years and 8 days

In 1874 she, with her parents, immigrated to America, settling near Galva, Kansas, where she grew to womanhood. She, together with her parents, endured the hardships of a pioneer life.

At the age of 19 she felt the need of a Saviour and upon her confession of faith and remission of sins was added to the Church of God in Christ (Mennonite) thru baptism, by Minister T. A. Unruh. to which faith she clung until death.

January 12, 1896, she was joined in marriage to Bernhard H. Koehn by Minister Benj. P. Becker, sharing joys and sorrows together for over 47 yrs. To this union were born 5 sons and 5 daughters: Mrs. Adina Wiens, Henry, William, Edward, Mrs. Lizzie Yost, Pete, Mrs. Ella Koehn, Sophia, Susie and Alvin all of Montezuma, Kansas, Alvin is in the U. S. Navy on foreign soil and could not be present.

In the year 1915, she, with her husband and family, moved to Gray County, Kansas, locating on a farm northwest of Montezuma, this also being their home at this time.

Mother enjoyed good health and was of a very industrious nature, a cheerful giver and of a kind and compassionate heart toward the sick, often lending helping hand as a nurse.

In 1939 her health failed and she was bedfast for eight months, and after a slow recovery, was in fair health, attending church services and doing some housework, until Tuesday noon, Nov. 30, she suffered a paralytic stroke at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Yost. After 36 hours of suffering she passed away Thursday at 1 A. M. Cause of death being cerebral hemorrhage.

She leaves to mourn, her bereaved husband, 10 children, 1 sister Mrs. John H. Buller of Halstead, Kansas, 2 brothers, Peter G. H. Wedel of Galva, Kansas and Jacob H. Wedel of Canton, Kansas, 39 grandchildren of which 3 preceded her in death, and a host of other relatives and friends.

We believe Mother is at rest in the arms of Jesus. — Father and Children.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, December 6 in the Montezuma Mennonite Church. Opening by Bro. Edd. Frank of Copeland. Text by Bro. David J. Koehn. Rev. 14:13, Ecl. 9-10. Burial in church cemetery.

Death has robbed us of our mother
Whom we loved and cherished dear
It was Mother, yes dear Mother
Can we help but shed a tear?
Yes, we miss her. Oh, we miss her,
When we see her vacant chair;
And how sad the room without her
For their [sic] is no Mother there.
Oft we think we hear her coming,
Coming through the open door.
Then we tearfully remember
Mother will come back no more.
Mother's work on earth is ended,
Faithful was the cross she bore
Now her loving soul's ascended
Over to fair Canaan shore.