Reimer, Mary J. Friesen (1890-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Feb 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1890 Jul 23

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY J. REIMER

Our beloved mother, Mary J. Reimer, nee Friesen, was born July 23, 1890, at Jansen, Nebr. and passed from this life on Feb. 7, 1958, reaching the age of 67 years, six months and 14 days.

The early years of her life were spent in Nebraska in the parental home. At the age of nine years she had the misfortune of losing her mother through death. Upon seeing opportunities in Kansas the family came to Meade County in 1909 to make their home.

It was here that mother came to realize her lost state without Christ and so turned to Him for the salvation of her soul. On May 31, 1909, she was baptized upon her faith and received into the fellowship of the local Mennonite Church.

On Nov. 14 of that same year she was joined in holy matrimony to our father, John J. Reimer. To this union were born 14 children, three sons and eleven daughters, of which two sons and four daughters preceded her in death Also her father passed away in 1938.

The Kingdom of God and His righteousness held a never failing interest in the hearts of our parents. This fact being realized by the church, father was called to the Gospel ministry in which, with the help of God and the encouragement of mother, he was engaged for a number of years. The Christian welfare of their family was a primary concern in their hearts.

In 1940 the family moved from Kansas to Louisiana but returned to Meade in about two years.

In June of 1949 it pleased God to call our father home to his reward.

Two years ago it was found best to leave the farm and move to Meade where she and son John resided until her death. Mother enjoyed relatively fair health until last summer when surgery revealed that she had internal cancer. Upon learning of her condition she was subjected to some hard inner trials and testings, but at last gained the victory, knowing that the Lord's way was best and right. Not only did she become willing to leave this life but of late, especially in the last hours, she welcomed the thought and was heart praying, “Von der Erde reisz mich los, nimm mich ganz mein Jesu hin.”

She leaves to mourn her departure her remaining children: John of the home, Agnes, Mrs. Henry L. Classen of DeRidder, La., Anna, Mrs. Henry R. C. Classen of Hesston, Kan., Sara, Mrs. Ed R. C. Classen of Hillsboro, Kan., Mary, Mrs. Corny K. Isaac, Elizabeth, Mrs. John K. Isaac, Katherine, Mrs. Pete M. Friesen, and Eva, Mrs. Herman F. Rempel, all of Meade; her step-parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Friesen; seven son-in-laws [sic]; one brother, P. J. Friesen of Dinuba, Cal.; two sisters, Mrs. P. A. Classen of Dinuba, Cal. and Mrs. John E. Loewen of Meade; 28 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and many other relatives and friends.

Beside her husband and six children, a brother, C. M. Friesen, and six grandchildren preceded her in death.

Though we are in sorrow over our loss, it is not, as such who have no hope for we expect to meet mother again one day in the presence of Jesus in whom she trusted. — The Children.