Neufeld, Helena P. Toews (1863-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 May 4 p. 1

Birth date: 1863

text of obituary:

SERVICES HELD FOR EARLY IMMIGRANT TO KANSAS

Inman, Kans. — Funeral services were held at the Bethel church near here April 26 for Mrs. A. P. Neufeld, who came to this community from South Russia in 1974 at the age of 11. Her husband, Rev. A. P. Neufeld, died in 1933.

Among the nine surviving children are two minister sons, Rev. P. T. Neufeld of Inman and Rev. J. T. Neufeld of Chicago.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jun 8 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. A. P. NEUFELD

Helena (Toews) Neufeld was born November 18, 1863, in Klippenfeld, South Russia, the eldest daughter of Heinrich and Katharina (Buhler) Toews. One of the sad experiences of early childhood was that she lost her mother at the age of eight. She fell this loss keenly. However through remarriage another mother came into the home.

She attended school for four terms in Russia, and then the family moved to America and the opportunity to attend school was taken from her. They left their home in Russia on July 24, 1874, and crossed the Atlantic on the ship Teutonia. After several months of traveling, they finally settled on a farm about eight miles southeast of Inman, where she grew to womanhood. The hard work of pioneer life was her lot, but she did not regret this. Her second mother died when she was but fourteen, but a third mother came into the home.

In reminiscences of her life which mother wrote in 1931, she says that she surrendered her life to Christ soon after coming to America, but it was not until June 2, 1884, that she was baptized and received into the membership of the Bethel church, whose member she remained to the end. She was baptized by her father. She relates that through faith she received the assurance of sins forgiven and of acceptance with God, but that she went through times of spiritual struggle also.

January 18, 1887, she was united in marriage to Abraham P. Neufeld. They lived on different farms near Inman until they retired and moved to town in 1929. To this union eight children were born, seven sons and one daughter, all of them still living. God blessed spiritually and materially, but there were also trials and difficulties. An experience that caused mother much heartache was that two of her sons were drafted in the first World War. However, their safe return filled her heart with gratitude.

The death of father March 6, 1933, was a loss that she felt keenly, for they had been united in holy wedlock for more than forty-six years. She continued her residence in town together with her daughter Helena till the latter's marriage in 1944, then lived alone for almost two years. She lived with her children, A. T. Neufelds for one year, and since June 1947, lived in the Home for the Aged.

Wednesday, April 19, at 2:45 p. m. she was found in an unconscious state in her room, having suffered a stroke. She was taken to the McPherson hospital. She remained unconscious to the end, which came Saturday, April 22, at 6:34 a.m., having reached the age of 86 years, five months and four days. She experienced very little sickness during her lifetime. Of her own family, only father, one grandchild and one grandson by marriage preceded her in death.

To her family she was a loving and praying mother, much concerned about the salvation of our souls. Her serious outlook upon life, her fervent prayers and her admonitions may well serve as a blessed memory to us.

She leaves to mourn her departure one daughter, Mrs. J. T. Pauls of Inman: seven sons, Heinrich of Enid, Oklahoma, John at Chicago, Abraham, Peter, Jacob and Frank of Inman; seven daughters-in-law; one son-in-law; 44 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; one brother, Frank H. Toews of Inman; two sisters, Mrs. P. I. Nickel of Buhler and Mrs. P. D. Ediger of Dallas, Oregon, besides other relatives and friends.

We mourn but not without hope: for we believe that she has gone to be with her Lord and in the heavenly mansions, and we hope to meet her again. — The Bereaved Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 16 May 1950 p. 355