Leisy, Lena Krehbill (1864-1939)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1939 Mar 14 p. 15

Birth date: 1864 Feb 15

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Mar 8 p. 2

text of obituary:

Mrs. Lena Leisy

Lena Leisy, nee Krehbill, was born February 15, 1864, in Lee county, Iowa. In her 14th year she accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior and was baptized by Christian Schowalter. In January, 1887, she was married to Emil A. Leisy of the same place.

The bridal couple's first venture was to go West and settle near Moundridge, Kansas, where they lived for 25 years. During their stay in Kansas, 12 children have come to them, of which 11 are still living. In the spring of 1912 the family moved to Oregon and made their home one mile north of Pratum. In 1918, 6 years later, on Good Friday Father Leisy was called to his reward. The boys being inclined to follow vocations other than farming, the home place was sold and the mother with the younger children made their home in Salem for a number of years. The last years they lived at 4911 N. E. 30th St., Portland, where six of her children have their own homes and their vocations.

The departed one was an ideal mother in Israel. While yet in Kansas the Leisys were counted among the pillars of the Garden church. The same may be said of their stay in the Oregon church and she was also one of the charter members of the Alberta community church in Portland. She was of a Christ-like, pleasant disposition. She had a way to eliminate a grief without hurting unnecessarily. If she ever said an unkind word I do not know of it. Although her health was impaired for some time, she was active in some good work to the last day of her life. she was happily surprised with the many, many greetings and gifts she received on her 75th birthday on February 15, last, and she answered them, 67, appreciatively either in person or by letter.

Thus she leaves her blessed memorial with 7 sons, 4 daughters, 28 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, 2 sisters and 4 brothers and many friends. Her sons are Earnest of Dallas, Texas; Edmund, Harvey, Elmer and Weldon of Portland; Homer of Salem and Walter of Sweethome, Oregon. Her daughters are Olga Loganbill of Woodburn, Linda Steffen of Silverton, Elsie Bartel and Helen Warren of Portland, Oregon.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord for the Spirit says they rest from their labors and their works shall follow them.

Her toil is past her work is done and they are fully blest.
She fought the fight, the victory won and entered into rest.
Then let our sorrows cease to flow; God has called His own.
But let our hearts in every woe still say: Thy will be done.

Funeral services were held on February 27, at 2 o'clock at the Pratum church in which the Rev. J. M. Franz, S. S. Baumgartner and Edmund Miller participated. A mixed quartet contributed appropriate songs. Rev. Miller's words of comfort were based on John 11. her body was laid to rest in the Mennonite cemetery by the side of her husband who preceded her 21 years ago. — Sent in by S. S. Baumgartner.