Plett, Cornelius E. (1879-1973)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1973 Sep 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1879 Oct 10

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1973 Oct 18 p. 11

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS E. PLETT

Cornelius E. Plett, son o Cornelius and Sara Epp Plett, was born on Oct. 10, 1879 near Lushton, York County, Nebraska. He died on Sept. 5, 1973 at the age of 93.

As the oldest boy in the family he had many responsibilities. In 1893 his parents moved to Lehigh, Kan. After late fall and before early spring farm work, father attended school whenever possible.

At the age of 15 father realized his need of a Savior. On Dec. 16, 1894 he was baptized by Elder J. A. Wiebe in the waters of the Springfield Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church grounds and became a member of that church. When the Springfield Church disbanded on March 12, 1961 he, with others, joined the Gnadenau (Parkview) Church at Hillsboro, Kan.

On May 24, 1903 he married Elisabeth Fast of Jansen, Neb. and they settled on a farm near Lehigh, Kan. To this union 11 children were born.

Father retired to Hillsboro in 1951. On March 4, 1964 the parents became residents of Sunshine Home at Buhler. On May 24 of this year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. On August 13 father suffered a stroke from which he did not recover.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are our mother, of Sunshine Home, Buhler; seven daughters, Lydia, Mrs. J. F. Balzer and husband of Hooker, Okla., Anna, Mrs. H. P. Regier and husband of Buhler, Sara, of Wichita, Linda and Elisabeth of Chicago, Ill., Esther of Lincoln, Neb., Alvina, Mrs. P. O. Siebert and husband of Hutchinson; three sons, Jacob F. and wife Betty of Tahlequah, Okla., Cornelius F. and wife Lillian of Buhler, Andrew and wife Elva of Lehigh; 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jacob E. Plett of Hillsboro and David E. Plett, Ramona, Okla.

Preceding him in death were one daughter, the firstborn, one grandson, seven brothers and two sisters.

Father was active in church work and in civic organizations. He served as Sunday school superintendent for nine years, and as Sunday school teacher and Christian Endeavor chairman at various intervals. On Feb. 19, 1933 he was chosen deacon and was later ordained. He served the Springfield Church faithfully as deacon until 1954. He also served the church as missions treasurer. He was a school board member of the Plain View School for 32 years and served as a member of the board of the Lehigh Grain Elevator. &# 8212; The Family.