Reimer, Matilda (1932-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Dec 23 p. 8

Birth date: 1932 Aug 3

text of obituary:

MATILDA REIMER

Matilda Reimer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Reimer, was born on August 3, 1932, at Meade, Kansas, and passed away to be with her Lord on Dec. 4, 1954 at 7 A.M. in the Halstead hospital. She reached the age of 22 years, four months, and one day.

Part of her youth was spent at Alomosa [sic Alamosa], Colo. where her parents and their family resided during the years 1936 - 1940. She entered grade school there and continued her schooling at Meade, graduating with the 1952 class of the Meade Bible Academy.

On August 8, 1945, at the age of 11 years Matilda accepted Jesus Christ as her own personal Saviour and since that time has rejoiced in the fact of her salvation. She was baptized upon her faith in Christ and received into the fellowship of the Emmanuel Mennnite church of Meade on June 15, 1947, of which church she remained a faithful member until her death.

She had a happy disposition and a positive influence and was an inspiration to her parents, sisters, and friends. Her sincerity as a Christian was expressed in her service for the Lord. Her service in the church choir, at weekly Bible classes, and in daily vacation Bible school, will remain not only a fond memory but a challenge to the church, the boys and girls she taught, and the community. She loved children and expressed the desire to point them to Christ and see the fruit of her lobor [sic] some day in glory.

The last time she served in the choir and at the noon-meal tables was at the Thanksgiving celebration on Oct. 10. On that day it was noticed that she was ill and she was taken to the Meade hospital on Oct. 13, where she remained for eight days. She improved but suffered a serious relapse at home, and after another few days in the Meade hospital she was transferred to the Halstead hospital on Nov. 25 where her case was clearly diagnosed to be acute Leukemia. The doctors and nurses served faithfully, giving proper care and blood transfusions, but she continued to fail more and more.

During her illness she expressed her concern to the family and also to the pastor that the doors for further service, though open to her otherwise, were closed by her illness. She wondered why. The promise of Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good to them that love God." became real to her in the sense that higher and better service awaited her.

Upon the question of readiness to leave this world she responded with a "yes." She also said, "One is afraid of death, in a way, but it is all right." She was going home. She expressed this in the words of the song, "My heavenly home is bright and fair". She was remarkably conscious all the while until a few hours before she quietly breathed her last.

She leaves to mourn her early departure: her parents; seven brothers and one sister, Ben and Pete of Meade, John of Plains, Dave and Margaret (Mrs. John F. Loewen) of Meade, Aaron of Hillsboro, Hermon [sic Herman] and Erwin of the home; five sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, her maternal grandmother, Mrs. J. M. Classen, uncles and aunts, 15 nephews and nieces, many consins [sic] and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a brother Thomas who died at the age of 14.

She will be greatly missed, yet we know that "His ways are higher and better than ours." We sorrow, but with the blessed hope of seeing her again. "My Father's way may twist and turn, my heat may throb and ache, but in my soul I'm glad I know, He maketh no mistake."

—The Bereaved Family.