Redger, Abraham (1880-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Aug 16 p. 9

Birth date: 1880 Feb 23

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM REDGER

Abraham Redger was born at Pawnee Rock, Kansas on Feb. 23, 1880, and departed this life on Saturday morning July 7, 1951, at 2:07 at the Bethesda hospital, Goessel, Kansas. He reached the age of 71 years, four months and 13 days. He was the son of David and Helena Jantz Redger, who were among the first organizers of the Friedenstal Mennonite church. His father preceded him in death August 14, 1932, and his mother October 9, 1944. An infant sister also preceded him.

In 1884 he with his parents moved to Marion county, Kans. He was raised in a Christian home and on June 5, 1900, was baptized and received into the Friedenstal Mennonite church by Rev. John Gerbrant. In 1904 he homesteaded in Texas county, Oklahoma. He lived there about 12 years and then moved to Haskell county. In the winter of 1918 he again came to Marion county, Kansas where he had resided ever since.

He was in good health until Dec. 27, 1950, when he was taken ill. He was taken to the Goessel hospital on Jan. 14, 1951. After several weeks he rallied and was taken to the home of his sister, Mrs. Simon Koehn. On Feb. 26, 1951, he was taken to the Axtell hospital at Newton, Kansas and on March 2, submitted to a major operation. He rallied from the operation but about a week later he had a heart attack from which he never fully recovered. However he became well enough to be taken to the homes of his sisters and brothers.

Abe was a contented and quiet person and seldom talked of his experiences with man and God. Many of the trials and battles of life he has battled alone. When at the homes of his brothers and sisters he frequently read the Bible, the Book which was dear to him.

On June 25 he had a second heart attack at his brother Lou’s home. On July 3 he had a third attack which paralyzed his left side, leaving him helpless. He was taken to the Bethesda hospital. Loving hands and doctor’s wisdom ministered to his needs but on July 7 he was asked to lay his armor down and he passed to his eternal reward.

He leaves to mourn his departure five brothers, Henry of Gridley, California, Jonas of Tryron [sic Tryon], Oklahoma, Sam of Greensburg, Kansas and Lou and Neal of Durham, Kansas; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Schmidt of Greensburg, Kansas and Mrs. Elizabeth Koehn of Durham, Kansas; 22 nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.