Meuschke, Lena Decker Nickel (1865-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Sep 23 p. 9

Birth date: 1865 Sep 16

text of obituary:

LENA DECKER MEUSCHKE

Lena Decker Meuschke, daughter of Jorn and Katherine Rickert Decker, was born in Ostrock, Russia on Sept. 16, 1865. With her parents she moved to America in 1874 where they settled in the community northeast of Moundridge, Kansas. During May of the following year sorrow came to the family when the mother passed away. In later years she often said, “Oh if I could have my mother back again. Why did she have to die so soon? But God knows best.”

She grew to womanhood on the farm, enduring the many privations of pioneer life. Because of these experiences she passed on to her children a spirit of thrift and economy. Her education was very limited with only a little schooling in German and none in English.

She loved her Saviour and was baptized upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ in 1882 by Rev. John Ratzlaff in the Emmanuel church, Canton, Kansas.

Her first marriage was to John Nickel. To this union two sons were born, Gustave and Jonas. The family lived on various farms in Kansas and spent three years in Indian Territory. In 1885 she came back to Kansas with her two sons. It was a difficult struggle to make a living and provide the boys with a proper schooling.

In 1902 she was married to Oscar F. Meuschke and shared joys and sorrows for 34 years until her loving companion was taken away in death in 1936. They had moved to Moundridge in 1916 where she resided until near her death. Near the close of her life she often repeated the words, “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen,” She passed away quietly early on Sunday morning, Sept. 12, 1954, reaching the age of 88 years, 11 months and 26 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure two sons: Gustave and his wife Bertine of Pawnee Rock, Kansas, and Jonas and wife Carrie of Hesston, Kansas; four grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Hodel, Moundridge, Kansas, Mrs. J. J. Ratzlaff, Lehigh, Kansas, Mrs. Frank Wedel, Galva, Kans. and six brothers, Ben Decker, Enid, Okla., Tobias Decker, Durham, Kansas, Isaac Decker and Jacob H. Decker of Newton, Kansas, David Decker, Meno, Okla., and Jonas Decker, Galva, Kansas.

We the children, remember her as a kind and loving mother. Although our hearts are saddened by this physical separation, her influence and benediction will ever be with us. — The Children.