Loewen, Maria Thiessen (1874-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 9 p. 8

Birth date: 1874 Jun 3

text of obituary:

MRS. P. A. ENTZ

Our mother, Mrs. Maria Loewen, nee Thiessen, was born in Paulsheim, South Russia on June 23, 1874.

Her parents emigrated to America in 1876. They settled in Jefferson County, Neb., near Jansen, on good farm land. Here she with her brothers and sisters grew up, attending the early public school near their home.

All the children accepted Christ as their Savior and were received into the K. M. B. church. On Christmas day of 1908 her mother died suddenly. She and her father remained on the home place.

On Jan. 20, 1910, she joined our father, a widower for the second time, in holy matrimony. By so doing she became mother to five children. To this union a daughter, Maria, was born. However, she lived only nine days.

Mother was quiet and unassuming and loved peace and harmony. She loved to visit and have visitors. Her desire for spiritual guidance in Christian fellowship was even greater than the desire for association of friends.

The retirement years of our parents were spent in Hillsboro. At first they lived at the edge of town. In 1950 a change was made to a more comfortable home. At this residence mother was still much interested in raising flowers.

After the passing of our father, mother's strength and memory failed. Assisting in her care in the last few years were friends who helped Sister Sarah when we ourselves could not assist sufficiently.

On Nov. 5 mother was taken to the home for the aged. On Nov.23 she fell and broke her right thigh. On the same day she was transferred to Salem hospital where she underwent reduction and nailing of the fracture two days later. For the first three weeks after the operation recovery was satisfactory. During her fourth week at the hospital complications set in and she passed away rather suddenly at 1:15 p. m. on Dec. 23.

“Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”

We, her family, her brother Nick Thiessen, her sister Mrs. Abr. Schellenberg, with many relatives and friends remain to mourn her departure. May the Lord lead in our lives so that at our journey's end He can say “Well done.” — The Family.