Neufeld, John (1868-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 19 p. 6

Birth date: 1868 Feb 29

text of obituary:

. . .

— John Neufeld, Sr., who was among the Mennonite immigrants coming to Harvey County from South Russia in 1874, died at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital Thursday, March 12, at the age of 91. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Garden Township Mennonite Church, Rev. Clayton Goertzen officiating. Mr. Neufeld had been a resident of the Bethel home for Aged here since 1954. Surviving are two daughters, four sons, 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 26 p. 8

text of obituary:

JOHN NEUFELD, SR.

John Neufeld, Sr., son of Dietrich and Elizabeth (Regier) Neufeld, was born on Feb. 29, 1868, in South Russia. He departed from this life March 12, 1959, at 1:35 p. m. at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital, Newton, Kansas. He reached the age of 91 years and 12 days.

As a child of six years, during the early migration of Mennonites from Russia to America, he came to Kansas with his parents, brothers and sisters. They settled first in Harvey County, Alta township. He received his elementary education at the Alta School.

In his youth he was baptized upon confession of faith by Elder Bernard Buhler and was received as a member into the Hebron Mennonite Church near Buhler, Kansas. He transferred his membership to Garden Township Mennonite Church in 1918.

On Jan. 8, 1893, he was joined in holy matrimony to Katie Ewy. To this union seven children were born, four sons and three daughters. On March 8, 1922, after 29 years of married life, God saw fit to call from his side his faithful wife. For a period of 14 years Bertha and Raymond lived with their father. In 1936 he married Marie L. Wall, with whom he lived for 20 years. In May 1954, father and mother entered the Bethel Home for the Aged at Newton, Kansas. There mother passed away on Feb. 25, 1956.

Father was patient and easily satisfied. He spent much time in reading and meditating upon God's Word from his German Bible. Father was a good provider for his family. We will miss him very much. His love for his family and grandchildren will always live in our hearts. The Lord blessed father with good health most of his life. He often expressed his desire to be with the Lord as he felt that his work here was done.

One daughter, Lizzie, (Mrs. John H. Lohrenz) preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his children, John E. and wife Esther, Bertha E. Neufeld of Moundridge, Kansas, Albert and wife Anna of Hanston, Kansas, Emma and husband Harry Rutschman of Hesston, Kansas, Ferd and his wife Clara of Burrton, Kansas, Raymond and wife Lurena of Hesston, Kansas; one son-in-law, John H. Lohrenz of Burrton; one sister, Mrs. Anna Ratzlaff of Buhler, Kansas; 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.