Sauder, Loren Z. (1982-1983)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1984 Jan 12 p. 7

Birth date: 1982 Jan 6

text of obituary:

Tried to Save Infant Brother [sic Sister]

Boy Dies Heroically in Wisconsin Fire That Claims Five Children

WITHEE, WIS. — Five members of a Wisconsin Old Order Mennonite family died Dec. 20 when an early morning fire ravaged their house in 20-degree below zero temperature.

Dead are five children of the Ammon Sauder family: Leon, 10; Ammon, 6; Ellen, 5; Loren, 2; and Wilmer [sic Wilma], six months.

The fire began in the kitchen in the early morning hours as a furnace, which was being used to help heat the house in the frigid weather, overheated. The parents were in the barn milking at the time, while the children slept in the house.

Four children escaped: Linda, 12; Lois, 11; Glen, 9; and Marlene, 8. One of the victims, Leon, had also made his way out of the house safely, but later perished when he re-entered in a futile effort to rescue his baby brother, Wilmer. His body was found by firefighters later, shielding the baby’s body.

THE FAMILY, which had moved to this community from East Earl, Pa., six years ago, is being assisted by a fund set up at the Withee State Bank. According to a late December report, a total of $30,000 had already been contributed for them.

The funeral services took place Dec. 24 at the Old Order Church near Withee.

Surviving in addition to the parents, one brother and three sisters are the grandparents, John and Lizzie Zimmerman of Terre Hill, Pa., and John and Ann Mary Sauder of East Earl.

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Sources:

Find a Grave Memorial ID: 238803222 (Wilma)
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 238875204 (Loren)
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 238814876 (Ellen)
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 238874932 (Ammon)
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 238814283 (Leon)