Krehbiel, Laura Krebill (1875-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Apr 21 p. 3

Birth date: 1875 Jul 7

text of obituary:

MRS. LAURA KREHBIEL

Mrs. Laura Krehbiel, daughter of Peter and Magdalena Krebill, was born on July 7, 1875, near Primrose, Iowa. She received her early education and training in that community.

At the age of 14, she made a public confession of her faith when she was baptized by Rev. Schowalter and became a member of the Zion Mennonite church near Donnellson, Iowa, of which she remained a faithful member until her death. She always enjoyed attending the services of the church and even though she was suffering from senile debility the past few years, yet she wanted to go to church and was there just about a week before her death.

For some time she was afflicted with an [sic] heart ailment which became very serious about five days before she passed away on April 13, 1949. She attained the age of 73 years nine months and six days.

Since she was not able to work the past few years, she would often sit at one of the windows or on the porch or in the yard and greet the children of the neighborhood with her smile. She also enjoyed visiting her sick relatives and friends, especially her sister who is also in failing health and whom she tried to visit every day.

On April 5, 1896, she was united in marriage with August Krehbiel, who at the time was living in Chicago and was working at the upholstering trade. He took his young bride with him to Chicago where they lived the first four years of their married life. The conjested [sic] city life d’d no [sic] agree with her and when her health began to fail, they decided to go back to Iowa. For two years they lived at Mt. Hamill, where they had a grocery store. After that they moved to Donnellson, where her husband was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for many years.

Their union was blessed with eight children, four daughters and four sons, all of whom are still living. She was a patient and kind mother, and her Christian influence made a lasting impression upon the tage[sic] to their children.

For over 46 years they shared the joy and cares of family life together. They have left a blessed heritage to their children.

Her husband preceded her to the Great Beyond on July 19, 1942. Her parents, two sisters and six brothers also preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn her departure: four daughters, Mrs. John V. Lowenberg and Mrs. Herbert A. Lowenberg, both of Donnellson, Iowa, Mrs. Howard Raid of Bluffton, Ohio, and Mrs. Lester Lowenberg of Chicago, Ill.; four sons, Edward of Columbia. Mo., Arthur of Walkerton, Ind., and Gordon and Donald of Donnellson, Iowa.; four sons-in-law and four daughters-in-law; 15 grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Margaret Krehbiel, and one brother, Fred G. Krebill, both of Donnellson, besides many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Zion Mennonite church. The services were conducted by her pastor, Elmer Basinger. A ladies quartet composed of Mrs. Howard Leisy and the three Krehbiel sisters, Mary, Hilda and Lillian, sang the hymns "Nearer the Cross" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus” Burial was made in the Mennonite cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1949 Apr 26 p. 11