Krehbiel, Susanna Amalia Ruth (1840-1920)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1920 May 6 p. 7

Birth date: 1840 Apr 22

---

Mennonite Year Book and Almanac obituary: 1921 p. 23

Text of obituary:

SUSANNA A. KREHBIEL

As a mild April sun was setting after a beautiful day the evening shadows were also closing the career of a beautiful life. Mother Krehbiel's spirit peacefully passed from this life's darkling night to her Maker on the evening of April twentieth, 1920, lacking two days of rounding out her eightieth year.

Susanna Amalia Krehbiel, daughter of David and Katherina (Strohm) Ruth, was born April 22, 1840 on a farm at Eichstock, near Munich, Bavaria, Germany, the second of nine children. Hers was the privilege to be born into a god-fearing home, where she could breathe constantly a devoutly religious atmosphere. So, also was the school which she attended until her twelfth year, when her education ended, one in which religious instruction was given in addition to the secular subjects. Her father was one of the ministers of the Mennonite church at Eichstock. Because of the introduction of compulsory military training, he decided to seek religious liberty in the new world, so removed to Franklin, Lee county, Iowa, in the year 1852, where he was one of the organizers of a Mennonite church, and a few years later, 1859, it was in this church, Zion, that the preliminary meeting leading to the founding of the General Conference was held. In the following year when the First General Conference was held in this church, May, 1860, he was one of a committee of five which drafted the "plan for the union of the Mennonite churches of America."

Iowa was at this time primeval forest, so for a number of years the family were pioneers, conquering the wilderness amidst no small hardships. In her thirteenth year, Susanna was baptized on her confession of faith. hers was not a superficial faith, but with her whole heart she accepted the Saviour and throughout her life continued to grow in the Christian graces and in spiritual power.

On March 14, 1858, she was married to Christian Krehbiel, and two years later this young family moved to Summerfield, Illinois. Having small means but great faith and industry they here undertook to work out their life program, little realizing how important their share should be in large things soon to come. Soon her husband was elected minister and a little later was made elder of the Summerfield church. As he at once became very active in promoting the various activities of the General Conference, many of the leaders were brought to the Krehbiel home and many had the privilege of getting in touch with the home created by Mother Krehbiel. Hers from this time was a large task in caring for her growing family, (three daughters and nine sons), managing, and providing for her large household, and giving attention to the many visitors.

This large touch and activity was greatly increased when in the early 70's the Mennonite immigration from Russia to a large extent had Summerfield and particulary the Krehbiel home as its initial focal point. Hundreds of immigrants during this time were entertained by her and found in her one that could and would give real motherly hospitality and help.

In 1878 the family removed to a farm on the outskirts of Halstead, Kansas. Here the public activity of Father Krehbiel took on still wider scope, and of necessity the home must bear its share of the reflex action. But Mother Krehbiel, with joyful surrender of her talents, proved equal to the task.

When in the early eighties Father Krehbiel established an Indian School on his farm, Mother Krehbiel had a task to perform which would have taxed many beyond their strength. But she was enabled to meet the conditions, provide food and shelter for 30 to 40 Indian children, care for their personal wants, even to giving them a mother's sympathy and care, so that many Indians to this day bless her for what she has done for them. Then when about 1892 the government discontinued all contract Indian Schools, an orphanage was established in which many orphan children, calling her mother, were cared for, her task had become still larger. She cared for these little waifs as for her own. Her motherly love seemed inexhaustible. She was up and about at all hours, night and day with cheering smile, giving herself to helpless little ones. Many there are of these now grown up who rise up and call her blessed.

How could Mother Krehbiel do all this? How did she grow into the mastery of mothering all these children—bringing twelve of her own to maturity, and giving herself to more than 100 Indian children and white orphans? She lived a clean, pure, healthy life, lived this life close to God through Christ. She put her trust implicitly in God, and with her soul in repose did cheerfully what was before her, and with the day the Lord also granted the increasing strength. She "walked with God." Many times as the burdens seemed to grow too heavy her soul would by the hand of prayer lay hold of God. In the midst of the heavy burdens and the tremendous pressure of often conflicting duties her spirit communed with God and triumphed. She would not fret, she would not worry, she would do what she could and the Lord failed her not.

Because of the increasing age of Father and Mother Krehbiel, the orphanage was discontinued in 1908. In that year they also celebrated their golden wedding, their twelve children being present. In the spring of 1909 her husband was taken from her side which left her in deep sorrow but not as one that has no hope. Now making her home with her son, B. P. Krehbiel, near Halstead, she spent the remainder of her years among her children and numerous friends, doing good in a quiet way as she could.

As in the evening light of departing day a gentler mellowness envelops the world, so in the evening of her life a glorified mellowness enriched Mother Krehbiel's life.

The sketch of her life which she has written for her children she closes with this prayer: "Oh, God, my Father, grant to me a blissful, peaceful end for Jesus, my Redeemer's sake. Amen."

H. P. KREHBIEL.