Loewen, Justina Leppke (1857-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Mar 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1857 Aug 30

text of obituary:

JUSTINA LEPPKE LOEWEN

Justina Leppke Loewen, was born in Nieder-Chortitza, South Russia, to Henry and Justina Doerksen Leppke on August 30, 1857, and passed away Feb. 12, 1947, at 10:30 p.m. at the home of her oldest daughter, Mrs. G. W. Suderman, Hillsboro, Kansas, where she had made her home since September, 1941. She died just 39 years to the date after the passing of her mother. She attained the age of 89 years, five months and 13 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure four daughters: Anna (Mrs. g. W. Suderman), Justina (Mrs. D. W. Suderman), Marie (Mrs. F. R. Jost), all of Hillsboro, and Katie (Mrs. J. S. Penner) of Reedley, California, Isaac L. of Peabody, Henry L., Jon L., Peter L. and Solomon L., all of Hillsboro; 60 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, one sister, Anna (Mrs. J. W. Wiens) of Hillsboro; one sister-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Leppke, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a host of relatives and friends.

Her husband, an infant son, a daughter Elizabeth, a son Abraham, a daughter-in-law, Mrs. J. H. Loewen, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren preceded her in death.

As a young girl she was frail and small of stature. She attended the elementary schools in Russia. While in her 17th year, together with her parents and eight brothers and sisters, she experienced the mental anguish and physical hardships involved in the leaving of her home and security in Russia and establishing a new home in this country. They arrived in Peabody, Kansas, just before harvest time in 1875, and settled in the Ebenfeld community.

The rigors and hardships of pioneer days made many demands on her young life and she learned to labor hard in the field as well as in the home. In disposition our mother was pleasant and cheerful in spite of difficulties, which was a balm to the home with its multitude of problems.

As a girl she felt the need of salvation, and after accepting Christ as her personal Saviour and Lord, she was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren church at Ebenfeld in February, 1878. She found much joy in serving Him to whom she surrendered her all. She loved to sing and prayed much, especially for the large family with which God had blessed her home. She loved the church and never failed to do her part, whether in Sunday School, missionary activities, relief, or other endeavors.

Since our father served the Ebenfeld church as a deacon for a number of years, it meant also special opportunities and greater responsibilities for our mother. The salvation of her children, and more recently that of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was her primary concern. Daily she placed her petition in behalf of her family before the Lord. The promise in Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" was particularly dear and comforting to her in this concern.

On December 15, 1878, she entered into holy matrimony with Jacob Loewen, our dear father. This union was blessed with 15 children, three of whom have preceded her in death. Such a large family brought much concern to our parents, but that was a small matter compared to the joy they derived from their children. For 62 years, six months and four days our parents shared the joys and sorrows of family life, when on June 19, 1941, our beloved father was taken.

From this time on our mother's longings and prayers, which during the last few years she uttered daily, were to go and be with her Lord and maker. Confined more or less to her home for the past few years, she became very highly appreciative of the music and messages brought to her in her loneliness. She delighted in doing something for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and less than a week before her final illness she knitted a pair of gloves for one of her great-grandchildren. To the very last she retained a clear memory, which was a great blessing from God.

Wednesday, February 12, at 10:30 p. m., after being confined to her bed for only three days, she heeded the call of her Master: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; . . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Now she beholds what formerly she believed; she beholds the glory of Jesus Christ which God the Father has given Him from eternity to eternity.

We mourn because of the parting of a loving and praying mother, but we also rejoice because of her victory, and because of our faith and hope some day to behold her Christ, which is also our Christ. — The family