Pauls, Anna Nickel (1889-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Aug 6 p. 8

Birth date: 1889 Jul 21

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA NICKEL PAULS

Anna Nickel Pauls, daughter of Jacob and Anna Berg Nickel, was born July 21, 1889, near Buhler, Kan. Here she spent her childhood days and attended the elementary schools of Kansas. At about the age of 15, she was convicted of her lost condition through the preaching of the word by Missionary John S. Voth. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized upon her confession of faith. She united with the Mennonite Brethren Church for fellowship. She remained true to her Lord and her church to the very end.

On July 28, 1912, she was united in holy matrimony by the Elder Abraham Schellenberg to Jacob Pauls, who passed away in 1951. This union was blessed with nine children, seven sons and two daughters. In 1937 the family moved to Reedley, Calif. where she made her home for the rest of her life.

She had but one aim and desire in life and that was to point her children and grandchildren to the Lord Jesus Christ. She was a mother who was willing to work hard and to endure suffering, if thereby her children would profit. She had a great desire to grow in her spiritual life and this caused her to read her Bible very much as well as many good Christian periodicals. She attended Sunday school faithfully and shared in activities of the church where she could. Continually she upheld her children and grandchildren in prayer.

She enjoyed comparatively good health most of her days. About eight days ago she went to the hospital thinking it would be but for a few days of rest and observation. However, her condition grew worse and Sunday morning, July 26, about 7:20 a. m., the Lord called her home. She left with a sweet smile of anticipation to meet her Saviour. She reached the age of 70 years and five days.

All nine of her children remain to mourn her departure: Sam Pauls, Reedley; Otto Pauls, Wasco; Alvin Pauls, Reedley; Leonard Pauls, Campbell; Albert Pauls, Reedley; Harry Pauls, Burbank; Chester Pauls, Bakersfield; Lydia Pauls, Fresno; and Rebena, Mrs. Marvin Dick, Reedley.

Also remaining are seven daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, 16 grandchildren and three sisters, Margaret, Mrs. Janzen, Hutchinson, Kan.; Helen, Mrs. Regier, Reedley; and Katharine Nickel, Reedley. Besides these there are six brothers-in-law and six sisters-in-law, as well as many other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held in the Mennonite Brethren Church, Reedley, Calif., on July 28 with the pastor, Rev. Dan Friesen, officiating.