Lohrentz, Marie (1883-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Oct 6 p. 1

Birth date: 1883 Jan 1

text of obituary:

Two Deaconesses Called by Death Last Week

SERVICES HELD FOR SISTER HILLEGONDA AND SISTER MARIE

The aged Sister Hillegonda van der Smissen, who reached the age of 101, and Sister Marie Lohrentz, 66, passed away last week at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital here, and funeral services for both were held at the Bethel Sisters Home and the First Mennonite church.

Sister Hillegonda, retired deaconess who observed her 101st birthday last June 30, died Thursday afternoon, Sept 29, and funeral services held Monday afternoon were in charge of Rev. J. E. Entz, assisted at the church by Rev. D. J. Unruh and Rev. J. F. Balzer. The graveside service at the Greenwood cemetery was in charge of Rev. A. J. Dyck.

Sister Marie Lohrentz passed to her reward Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 27, after being a patient at the hospital since July. Funeral services took place Friday afternoon, with Rev. J. E. Entz in charge at the Sisters Home and Rev. D. J. Unruh and Dr. E. G. Kaufman conducting the service at the church.

Sister Hillegonda was born at Friedrichstadt, Germany in 1848 and came to this country with her parents in 1868. She arrived in Newton during a big snowstorm in February, 1909, being 60 years of age when she took up deaconess work. She was the first member of the First Mennonite church to reach such an advanced age.

The only immediate relative surviving her is her brother, Rev. Carl H. van der Smissen, 97, of the Bethel Home for Aged.

Sister Marie was born near Moundridge on Jan. 1, 1883, and took up residence at the Nurses Home Nov. 1, 1911. She served as school nurse and girls' counselor at Bethel college from 1936 to September of last year.

She is survived by four sisters and three brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Oct 13 p. 3

text of obituary:

SISTER MARIE LOHRENTZ

Marie Lohrentz, daughter of Jacob and Maria (Martens) Lohrentz, was born January 1, 1883, near Moundridge, Kansas. Her parents were pioneers in the community and among those who built the foundation for the Mennonite faith as it was established in America.

Marie came to know and to love the Lord early in her childhood. In 1903, she was baptized by the Rev. Bernard Buhler and became a member of the Hebron Mennonite church. In 1940 she transferred her membership to the First Mennonite church in Newton.

She attended the Bethel Academy one year and graduated from the Fort Wayne Bible School in Indiana in 1911. Since November 1, 1911, Sister Marie has been a faithful and much loved Sister of the Bethel Deaconess Home and Hospital family.

During the years 1918 and 1819 [sic 1919], she spent considerable time at home caring for her father during his illness until he went to be with the Lord March 15, 1919. Again in 1925, Sister Marie was called home because of her mother's illness and also to give her sister Agnes the opportunity to come to Bethel. Sister Agnes entered the institution in June1925, and Sister Marie remained to care for her mother until she too was called to be with the Lord Dec. 18, 1931.

Sister Marie loved people and loved to help them. She enjoyed twelve years of service in Bethel college, 1938-1948, as college nurse, helper, and counsellor to many of the students. It was her desire to be a true witness, "to be steadfast, unmoveable [sic], always abounding in the work of the Lord." Her work at Bethel college was very dear to her heart, and she often spoke of the wonderful privilege that was hers through these contacts with our young people.

Sister Marie's statement concerning her work was: "Through this all I have been happiest when on duty — serving others.” How typical of her! And the reason for it is found in the verse given her at the time of her ordination, “They that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31.

Sister Marie departed to be with the Lord Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 4:15 p. m. Funeral services were held Friday, Sept 30, with Rev. J. E. Entz serving at the Sisters Home chapel at 2 p. m., and Dr. E. G. Kaufman and Rev. D. J. Unruh at the First Mennonite church at 2:30 p. m. A quartet from Bethel College sang "Be Still My Soul” and "Lead Me Gently Home, Father" Burial was in the Sisters’ lot at Greenwood cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1949 Oct 11 p. 10