Pauls, Abraham J. (1882-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jul 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1882 Mar 6

text of obituary:

A. J. PAULS

A. J. Pauls was born March 6, 1882, the son of Jacob and Anna (Toews) Pauls, on a farm about eight miles southeast of Inman. Here he received his elementary school education and grew to manhood.

On June 1, 1903, he was baptized upon his confession of faith by Elder Abraham Ratzlaff and received as member into the Hoffnungsau church. At the time of his marriage, in 1908, he transferred his membership to the Bethel church.

He took active part in church activities as Sunday school teacher, as a member of the church building committee at the time of the construction of the present church building, and in other ways. He spent much time in reading the Bible, especially the New Testament, and in prayer, and admonished his children and others to do the same for their own happiness. It was a pleasure to him to discuss spiritual matters with others and to speak of the great salvation wrought by Jesus Christ for all.

He spent the larger part of his life on the farm on which he was born. From 1905 to 1910 he was engaged in business in Inman. Nov 10, 1910, he was united in marriage to Margaretha Regehr and was permitted to share joys and sorrows with her for 41 years, seven months and six days. This union was blessed with four daughters and two sons. They made their home in Inman until 1910, then moved back to the farm and lived there until 1947, when they moved in Buhler, where they have lived the last three years.

In 1941, he was injured quite seriously in a car accident. He suffered a light stroke in April 1948. In December of that year he had to undergo a major operation, but recovered quite satisfactorily. September 16, 1949, he suffered another stroke and for seven weeks it was impossible to determine whether or not he was conscious of things around him. From that time on conversation with him was very difficult, if at all possible.

He was patient in suffering and appreciated it greatly when someone read to him, often making the statement, “Such a blessing.” He appreciated company greatly and daily looked for the home-coming of his children, from the middle of the afternoon until night. He missed church attendance greatly, but kept up in private devotions and prayer life as best he could.

On April 1, he suffered another stroke and on June 16, at four o’clock in the morning, another one. He seemed to suffer quite intensely until 12:30 p. m., then slept for an hour or more and awoke for a short time to fall asleep peacefully for eternity, at 1:55 p m. Now the wish which he had often expressed that he might be permitted to go home forever and ever was granted to him. He reached the age of 68 years, three months and 10 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife Margaretha, four daughters, Elizabeth, Anna and Lena of Buhler and Mrs. Ben Epp of Inman: two sons. Art and Irvin of Inman; one son-in-law, Ben Epp; two daughters-in-law; Mrs. Art Pauls and Mrs. Irvin Pauls; 3 grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. H. P. Neufeld, and three brothers, Jacob, Henry and John, all of Inman; and other relatives and friends. But we mourn not as such who have no hope, for by the grace of God we expect to meet him again in heaven's glory.

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Jul 18 p. 483