Nickel, Agatha Riesen (1866-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jun 16 p. 11

Birth date: 1866 Dec 23

text of obituary:

MRS. WM. J. NICKEL

Agatha Riesen Nickel, daughter of Rudolf Riesen Sr. and Katherine Friesen Riesen, was born at Berdjansk, a port city in South Russia, on December 23, 1866, and passed away at the Salem hospital, Hillsboro, Kansas, May 28, 1952, at the age of 85 years, five months, and five days. She was the sixth child in a family of nine children, of whom three survive her.

In April 1873, she with her parents and family left their home in South Russia, arriving at Sommerfield, Ill., where they made their home with friends for four months while seeking for a place to settle permanently. When the area in Kansas was recommended they came here in October of that year, making their first home on a farm a short distance southwest of the town of Canada. After about four years they moved to the farm where Oliver Unruh now lives to be nearer the Brudertal church, of which they were members. From this it is obvious that as a child she experienced many of the adventures, the hardships, but also the joys of the pioneer years,of which she has occasionally told us. She was privileged to attend elementary school for a limited number of years, first at Gnadenau, and later at Brudertal school.

On June 1, 1884, she was baptized by the Rev. Wm. Ewert, Sr. upon confession of her faith in Jesus Christ, and received into the fellowship of the Brudertal church, of which she has been a faithful and active, though quiet, member ever since.

On December 17, 1891, she was married to Wilhelm J. Nickel, and they founded their home near the present home of John R. Nickel. This union was blessed with five sons, of whom the oldest, Rudolf, preceded her in death as a 10 year old boy. On December 17, 1916, the parents were privileged to commemorate their silver anniversary. On August 21, 1926, father passed away, leaving mother as a widow for nearly 26 years.

With the advancing years she decided that it would be preferable to move to town, so in the fall of 1935 she transferred her residence to Hillsboro, where her son Alvin lived with her.

In spite of her advancing years, she was in relatively good health. However the infirmities of age began to take their toll and she often spoke of her desire to be permitted to go home to be with her Lord, whom she loved and served. This wish was granted her, when as the result of a stroke early Saturday morning May 24, she slipped from this life on May 28, as quietly and peacefully as she had lived.

Mother will always be remembered by us as having had the quiet, unassuming courage that comes from a deep and abiding faith in God. She was patient with us. Her hands were never idle, even when her eyesight began to fail. She found much comfort in singing her favorite German hymns. Her life was her Christian testimony.

She precedes in death, awaiting a glorious reunion, her children, Herman R., and wife, Elizabeth, Alvin, Waldo and wife Elsie, and John and wife Cornelia, all of the Hillsboro community; five grandchildren, Effie Lou, Lola Beth, Anna Lee, Judith Ann, and William John; three brothers, John D. Riesen, Glendale, California, F. B. Riesen, of Hillsboro, and Jacob H. Riesen of Watson, Sask.; also three sisters-in-law, Mrs. F. B. Riesen, Mrs. J. H. Riesen, and Mrs. H. J. Nickel, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted in the Brudertal Church on Monday forenoon at 10:00 o'clock with Rev. A. E. Funk in charge. Interment at the church cemetery.

Pall bearers were Oswin Mouttet, Ruben Mouttet, Ed Unruh, Rudolf Nickel, Cornie Riesen and Arthur Riesen. Mrs. Frank Balzer, Miss Kathrine Nickel and Mrs. Ben Bartel cared for the flowers. — The Family.